Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said “we need to trust people” when pubs and restaurants reopen next week.
Mr Martin was responding to comments made by Labour leader Alan Kelly who said in the Dáil yesterday that the legislation on indoor dining was “an Irish solution to an Irish problem” and would operate on a “nod, nod, wink, wink” basis.
The indoor dining legislation passed will see fully vaccinated people and people who have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months allowed to eat and drink indoors.
Speaking in Offaly this morning, the Taoiseach said: “We need to trust people too.. this is a collective effort as a society to try to deal with an unprecedented global pandemic.. we are worried about the Delta variant..
“People need to take the advice of the chief medical officer in respect of this seriously but at the same time, in terms of Government, the Government has created a good balance here.”
Mr Martin said the next six weeks to two months will be challenging because of the nature of the Delta variant and transmissibility [of the disease].
He said there is a clear rise in cases “so all of us as individuals need to be vigilant about this and work in controlled environments".
He added: “What will not change is the need for basic common sense in terms of how we behave and how we adhere to the guidance and regulations around public health and avoid getting Covid-19.”
The Taoiseach also responded to Dr Tony Holohan’s message to parents last night in which he urged them to continue to eat outdoors as it is “safer to do so”.
Mr Martin said: “The Government made a decision, people can bring their children [indoors]..
“The CMO will advise, the Government has to make decisions, but I think the key point really is there is a need for personal responsibility, we need to trust people as well.
“I think people have learned through the journey of this pandemic how it can impact and how deadly it can be.
“People [should] exercise their own judgement.
“In many instances there won't be any difficulties in terms of children accompanying parents in a controlled environment...there are significant controls in a restaurant for example.”
