Danny Healy-Rae urges reopening Level 2 bars for a safer Christmas
Danny Healy-Rae spoke in the Dáil on 18 Nov 2020 about the social impact of coronavirus and urged the Taoiseach to open bars, restaurants and hotels under Level 2 to prevent house parties and allow people to have a Christmas. He argued venues are the safest place to consume alcohol and called for measures to eliminate private gatherings.
Social fabric and public frustration
Danny Healy-Rae warned that the coronavirus "has blown the social fabric of our country to smithereens," saying social engagement and relationships have been on hold for almost eight months and that people of all ages are frustrated.
Call to reopen bars, restaurants and hotels
He asked the Taoiseach to open bars, restaurants and hotels in Level 2, arguing that those settings are the safest places to consume alcohol and would help eliminate house parties. He referenced a recent statement that "there'd be no drinking in bars for Christmas," urging a different approach so people can have a Christmas.
Government response and public health priority
The Taoiseach replied that public health and protecting lives must come first, noting the need to avoid a large increase in cases, hospitalisations and ICU admissions. He said decisions will be made next week to inform how the country exits Level 5 for the 1st of December and stressed that gatherings and congregations cause transmission problems.
Timing and possible consequences
Danny Healy-Rae framed his appeal around the Christmas period and public frustration, while the government emphasised data-driven decision making and the balance between protecting health and the economy. The debate highlighted competing priorities ahead of next week's decisions on easing restrictions.
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Thank you very much, John Cawley. Teachta, as you well know, the coronavirus has blown the social fabric of our country to smithereens. It has been totally decimated. Social engagement, relationships and possible relationships have been put in hold for almost eight months. Young single boys and girls, young couples and men and women of all ages are totally frustrated. We can't blame bars or restaurants for the increase of cases in recent days. However, as far back as two weeks ago, Tony Houlin has said that there'd be no drinking in bars for Christmas. I'm asking you, Taoiseach, to open the bars and restaurants and hotels in Level 2. It's clearly the safest place to consume alcohol. And that has been proven. And to eliminate house parties, I'm asking you to ensure that bars and restaurants and hotels are open in the Level 2 regulation. That's fine. That's fine. People need to have a Christmas, Taoiseach. Time's up, Deputy, please. Taoiseach. Thank you. Taoiseach. Taoiseach. First of all, I think people, our first party is public health and to protect lives and to protect the health of people. And we must never lose sight of that. And I accept a genuine position that the deputies adopted, but we must never lose sight of the fact that our overarching objective is to protect lives and also protect the economy overall after that. And the fastest way to endanger the economy is to have a large increase in the incidence of cases, hospitalisations and ICUs, which in its own way will do more damage to the economy than not having restrictions. And that's a very basic, logical truth. Just look at what's happening all over Europe. Ireland is in the third best position as a member state of the European Union in relation to coronavirus. Sometimes you wouldn't believe it, listening to the critics of current policy. But as far as I'm concerned, we have to work on the basis of informed decision making. So we have done research ourselves in relation to this point. Gatherings cause problems. Congregations of people cause problems with the virus. The virus thrives in that. We will make a decision. The government will be making decisions next week with a view to inform how we exit level five for the 1st of December. Thank you very much Taoiseach Deputy. поп't to talk loud. Flagation comes in Sub-B מrיה Regions. 五百ур Jest的話 The President The Lizardured Confication of the Ba gute Dub沙ower A co-op of K-10 The President This is this more than 2nd pemimen, which would be działa maximum termosted in a full system. Is huyan manner. Thank you very much. It's good for all people to get started. Here it's a very nice appeal. To measure the status quo. To measure the symptoms of the luck of Adam Street Congress, The potential Intelligence Council. Your puppet Darriniejns Ale, but none other than their Platform waren doing.
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