Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to discuss this important topic today. I agree with Senator McGahon about the hype in the media, which led to some people feeling uncertain and further scaremongering. I understand the seriousness of the virus and I know of many people who died. We will have a commemoration service in Limerick this coming Sunday for people who died in Limerick during the pandemic. I pay tribute to them and to the staff in the hospital.I know the Minister is aware of the high numbers at University Hospital Limerick. I pay tribute to the staff who have been working under very difficult circumstances. Covid certainly has not helped in terms of the numbers on trolleys and the number of people who are in and out of University Hospital Limerick. Simple operations and everyday procedures have been cancelled. It is really not acceptable. It is going to have to be looked at again. Many people wear masks in certain circumstances, but I think a clear message needs to be sent out that Covid has not gone away. Perhaps we are failing to get that message out. Some people are being very blasé and think that because they have had Covid, they will not get it again. We all know that is misinformation and people can get Covid again. While I do not believe it should be compulsory, I believe people should be advised to wear a mask in certain circumstances, for example, if they are going indoors or into a crowd. I am aware the Government is doing something in that regard. We are all adults, and need to take personal responsibility. I think it is important we get the message out there that Covid has not gone away. We all have to take responsibility and wear masks where appropriate.