Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I accept the Order of Business. I also join with colleagues in welcoming Lord Mayor Kelleher and his son to the Chamber. It is a very prestigious position to be Lord Mayor of Cork, our second city. I wish him well during his trip to Dublin and for the course of this very important year.

The Cabinet is today approving the disbandment of the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, and the removal of most remaining public health measures, including the wearing of masks. It is appropriate this House sends a very clear "Thank you" to NPHET, Dr. Tony Holohan and Dr. Ronan Glynn for the outstanding work they did during this pandemic. From the very start and the very first press conference, right through to now, their communication skills have been outstanding.They were conservative in their approach but that approach saved many thousands of lives. It is also appropriate to thank the people who support them. We think of Paul Reid and Damien McCallion and the team at the HSE.

They did not get everything right but nobody gets everything right. In the fullness of time, lessons will be learned for future pandemics from what we achieved and did not achieve during this pandemic. The critical point is that everybody proceeded with the best of intentions and the ultimate goal of protecting public health and saving the lives of our citizens. They did a damn good job. On behalf of this House, I propose that the Leader send a letter to Dr. Glynn, Dr. Holohan and the HSE and its management team.

I pay particular tribute to public health mid-west in my area. One looks at Dr. Favier and people like her and the manner in which they went on local and national radio. They were very clear, distinct and articulate in selling the necessity to abide by the public health measures. At a local level, I acknowledge the great work done by public health mid-west, not just during the pandemic but prior to it. I know that work will continue post pandemic.

It has come to my attention that the blind and visually-impaired students who are doing the leaving certificate this year will not have access to digital examination papers. Modern technology - iPads, computers and sign readers - has done such wonders for visually-impaired young people in terms of being able to communicate, do their business and study for their examinations. I remember when I, as a visually-impaired person, did my leaving certificate 30 years ago. Despite what is available now and the opportunity technology provides, the Department of Education is still so antiquated that it does not provide examination papers in digital form. I would like the Leader to bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Health. Perhaps the House will have a discussion on it.