Ireland's efforts to flatten the COVID-19 curve "will come to nothing" if international arrivals at our ports are not screened upon entering the country.
This is according to Fianna Fail TD Darragh O'Brien, who believes a lack of any entry restrictions will not help Ireland battle the coronavirus crisis.
The Fingal TD noted a number of Garda checkpoints were dotted around popular tourist destinations to prevent internal travel, but that there was no such restriction for people arriving to Ireland by water.
He said: "Today, seven ships have come into Dublin Port that have the capacity to carry passengers.
"There is no screening upon entry into Ireland for passengers on these ships, nor are there any entry restrictions. This is at a time when domestic residents are prevented from taking all but essential journeys.
“We must facilitate international freight, but we should be taking measures to prevent people coming to Ireland for the purposes of tourism."
He continued: "There are anecdotal reports of many cars with foreign registration plates disembarking from ferries and travelling to popular holiday destinations.
"The Gardai are out on the roads preventing people from going to holiday homes, but international visitors are free to get a ferry into any of our ports.
"It is totally wrong and is causing anguish in communities around the country, particularly in affected areas.
"Without such restrictions, the efforts of our own citizens to forego their own holidays and freedoms will come to nothing."
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