Written answers

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Department of An Taoiseach

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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2. To ask the Taoiseach if he has engaged with his UK and Northern Ireland counterparts on the implications of the proposed mandatory quarantine period on cross-Border travel and trade. [7582/20]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As I set out in a PQ reply on 20 May, I spoke with the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday 15 May. We discussed the general Covid 19 situation and our respective experiences in seeking to contain the virus and manage its impacts. We shared information on our respective plans to start easing restrictionsas well as our respective approaches to related travel restrictions. We also considered recent Brexit developments during the course of our conversation.

I also spoke with First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill on Friday, 15th May, when I informed them of the Government plans to start easing the Covid related restrictions from the 18th of May as set out in the Roadmap. We also discussed ongoing North South cooperation on dealing with Covid and the Memorandum of Understanding agreed to underpin and strengthen North South co-operation on the public health response to the pandemic. I also explained our expectation that passengers from overseas would complete a locator form and self isolate for 14 days. Passengers transiting to Northern Ireland would be exempt from these arrangements.

There is ongoing North South and East West engagement on Covid responses across government at both political and official level. We will continue to seek opportunities for common or similar approaches to managing Covid, where that would be beneficial.

Photo of Mary Lou McDonaldMary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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3. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with representatives of the Catholic Church. [8063/20]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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On 14 May last I met (by video conference) with representatives of the Catholic Church, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly to share thoughts on the reopening of places of worship over the course of the summer. The Church shared information on the work that is being done at all levels to develop a national church plan for the safe reopening and emphasised it will play its part in applying public health measures to ensure the health and safety of its congregation. I also met with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin as part of a video conference with leaders of the main Faiths and Non-confessional organisations on 8 April where we discussed the effects which Covid-19 is having on their communities.

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