Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators Keogan, Clifford-Lee and Gavan for their contributions. I want to respond to what has been said, and, as Senators can imagine, my reply is not scripted.

I have no choice but to answer Senator Keogan because she posed the question. Last night, the Taoiseach appeared on the news. He clearly stated that schools will not be closing.On mixed messaging, one could say the Senator and I are creating a conversation around mixed messaging today because, as we know, the Taoiseach has clearly stated that schools will remain open and, as Senator Clifford-Lee has stated, schools will remain open. If journalists wish to speculate, we cannot prevent them doing that. That is their right. At the same time, we are talking about living with Covid. In living with Covid we will ensure that education continues, be that higher education, the early years sector or the primary and post-primary sectors, to ensure that my daughter and the daughters of everybody else around the country who are doing their leaving certificate can sit their Christmas exams. That is awfully important for these young people. They need that stability living alongside Covid.

Living with Covid is also about not speculating whether restaurants might be forced to close at 10 p.m. or whatever. There is a closing time in place now for our public houses and restaurants. Nobody other than journalists is speculating. It is very clear that there is a roadmap in place. We are trying to live as best we can with a virus that does not heed us. It dictates its only pace and that pace is based on public behaviour. In adhering to the basic fundamentals of social distancing, washing our hands, wearing face masks and all of the other advices set out by public health, we will control and manage the virus.

That we are living with a virus within our community is testament that a high number of people believe that Covid exists. Some 93% of our population have been vaccinated. More than 1.5 million have got their booster. All of these people accept that Covid is here and that it is real and they wish to respond to it. Language is important. On the last occasion I was in this Chamber and we were discussing other Stages of this Bill, we discussed the importance of language. We are living alongside Covid and there is a booster campaign under way. I encourage everybody to get the booster jab. I believe that 92% of the population accept that Covid is real, not only in Ireland but across Europe and the globe. It is not that the Government is driving a particular agenda, rather it is that the Government is responding as best and prudently as it can to keep lives and livelihoods equal and protected.