Stephen Donnelly has promised lockdowns will end forever by next February.
The Minister for Health pledged in the Dáil on Wednesday afternoon that this is the latest possible date that lockdown laws will be on the books.
His promise came after he was slammed by various TDs, including Leas Ceann Comhairle, Catherine Connolly, for trying to bring in “rolling sunset clauses” that would see the end of lockdowns left open-ended in legislation.
This means that there can be no lockdowns after that date because there will be no powers in law to allow for them.
However, Mr Donnelly has proposed that the lockdown laws be extended out to November 9, five months past the current legal end date of June 9.
He said that this is necessary because the Government doesn’t want to have to go back during the journey out of lockdown we’re now on and powers might be needed to police transgressions.
Mr Donnelly said that the powers “do not sit easy” with him, but that they are “necessary.”
He said: “I have reflected on the debate and the view of the health committee within the wider context and whereas the initial five-month extension is warranted, necessary and proportionate, I understand the concerns that have been raised about possible additional extensions after that five-month period.
“I have decided to seek Government approval to amend the Bill on Committee Stage to provide for just one further extension of no more than three months, subject to a resolution of both Houses of the Oireachtas.”
Mr Donnelly added: “As I have said before here in the Oireachtas and elsewhere, these powers do not sit easy with me, and I doubt they sit easy with any Member of the Oireachtas.
“They should not sit easy with any democracy.
“I believe, however, that they have been required up to now to support public health measures, advice and guidance.
“This Government wants to lead our return to normality as quickly as possible. Importantly, we want to do so safely.
“We want to make sure that we do not go backwards or need to reintroduce measures.
“In conclusion, I welcome this opportunity to provide an overview of some of the key provisions in the Bill.
“I look forward to discussing the Bill in more detail on Committee Stage, and to listening to colleagues' contributions during this Second Stage debate.
“The Government believes that ensuring the continuation of these measures is the responsible thing to do and I commend the Bill to the House.”
