Micheal Martin has given his take on the great "toastie dilemma".
Colourful Kerry independent TD, Michael Healy-Rae, has repeatedly posed the question.
He has asked how are you safer from contracting Covid by having a meal - and he gives the example of a toasted sandwich - than if you just have a pint.
Mr Healy Rae is referring to the new law that allows a pub to open if they serve a "substantial meal" worth at least €9, which evidently must be the cost of a toasted sandwich in Kerry.
Mr Martin told the Mirror in response to this: “I can see Michael’s thing, but sitting down is a huge issue in terms of trying to restrict the spread of the virus.
“But also, if you open up another thousand odd areas where you have closed indoor settings at night, with alcohol and so on, it’s about the broader picture of increasing the number of congregated gatherings indoors that is the problem.
“The public health advice is very clear that the virus spreads more rapidly in indoor settings where the guard is down than it will in other sittings.
“That’s the bigger picture in relation to this.
“And I’d just say to Michael Healy Rae, there’s nobody in Government looking to close pubs, that’s not the agenda.”
