Richard Boyd Barrett: Demands Universal 305 COVID-19 Payment
Richard Boyd Barrett criticised the decision on entitlement to the 305 payments and called for a single, universal COVID-19 payment. He argued that everyone who stays home for public health reasons or loses work because of closures should receive the same support.
Amendments and parliamentary procedure
The speaker said amendments about who is entitled to the 305 payments have been ruled out of order in his case and probably others, leaving the issue insufficiently debated in the Dáil. He acknowledged procedural constraints but stressed the public need to know the government's decisions on eligibility.
Who should get the 305 payment
Richard Boyd Barrett argued that people who lose jobs due to public health advice, those with underlying conditions who choose to stay home, and workers who reasonably refuse to attend workplaces that conflict with public health guidance are all contributing equally to stopping the virus. He said these groups should be treated the same for payment entitlement.
Opposition to a two-tier payment system
The speaker rejected a two-tier approach, saying there is no justification for some people receiving a lower payment when others receive the full 305. He framed the issue as fairness for those "doing right by society" by staying at home to protect public health.
Call for ministerial response
Richard Boyd Barrett urged the Minister to explain and justify the decision to create differing levels of support. He pressed for transparency and for the government to reconsider a universal COVID-19 payment of 305 to cover all affected people.
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The amendments that have been ruled out of order, certainly in our case and probably in others, are about who will be entitled to the 305 payments. Now I understand it's a charge in the Ustecker, but to be honest this has to be debated. The public need to know that there's a decision being made by the government, which frankly I don't agree with. Every single person who loses their job as a result of public health advice to stay at home, to socially distance, somebody who has an underlying condition and makes a decision to stay at home, somebody who feels that they are being forced to go into work, as many workers are, and that going into work is incompatible with the public health advice and makes a decision, a responsible decision in the interest of the... We have a minute and a half to do it. Not on something that's out of order. People who are doing right by society, by others whose health is threatened by this virus and make the decision to stay at home, or who as a result of public health advice have their workplaces closed down, are doing every bit as much as somebody who is diagnosed or who is encouraged by a doctor to stay at home, and should get the same payment. There should be a universal COVID-19 payment of 305, not two tiers of payments, where some get a lower payment, when everybody is making equal contribution by staying at home to stopping the spread of the virus. I think the Minister should respond to that point, because I don't see the justification for two tiers of support payment. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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