Paul Murphy criticises extension of Covid repressive powers
Paul Murphy opposed the government's proposed extension of Covid repressive powers and argued the measures prioritise restrictions over supports for ordinary people. He urged a 'vaccine plus' approach - vaccination, ventilation and vastly increased testing - and called for HEPA filters in every classroom.
Opposition to extension of repressive powers
Paul Murphy told the Dáil he and his party are opposed to the expansion of repressive Covid powers. He warned these measures risk becoming permanent and compared them to past emergency powers such as the special criminal court and international examples like the US Patriot Act and post-7/7 Britain.
Public health priorities and vaccine plus strategy
He said vaccines are crucial but not a silver bullet and called explicitly for a vaccine plus strategy - vaccination, ventilation and vastly increased amounts of testing compared to current levels. Murphy warned that relying on repressive powers while loosening restrictions for businesses undermines public health protection.
Ventilation and schools
Murphy pressed for major investment in ventilation, saying there is no legislation guaranteeing clean air for workers and schools. He demanded HEPA filters in every classroom, noted Ireland does not yet have a single air purifier in schools, and referenced a proposed right for workers not to work in environments above 900 parts per million CO2 without mitigation.
Economic supports and civil liberties
He highlighted cuts to supports, citing a 50 euro reduction to the PUP and a further cut due on 16 November, the removal of eviction bans and rent increases, and the absence of mandatory employer sick pay nearly two years into the pandemic. Murphy contrasted the reopening of indoor nightclubs with continued powers to ban and criminalise outdoor protests, arguing the government's priorities are clear.
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I want to make a few different points in relation to Covid, but on the particulars of the repressive powers which the government proposes to extend now, we are opposed to those repressive powers and we are opposed to the extension of those powers. I think it will be very striking for people to compare the approach of the government to extending significant restrictions on civil liberties to their approach in terms of protections and supports for ordinary people. The government has already cut the PUP by 50 euros, there is another cut for the PUP coming down the line on 16 November, the bans on evictions, the bans on rent increases have already been removed and we still do not have mandatory employer sick pay nearly two years into a pandemic. It shows the priorities of the government and their approach in terms of keeping these repressive powers. Again, the contrast between the reopening of indoor nightclubs and the maintaining and extension of powers to ban and criminalise protests outside when we know that the risk of transmission in an outside environment is minimal compared to the dangers of indoor environments. Again, the priorities of the government and their approach in terms of civil liberties is quite clear and with this yet another extension of restrictions on civil liberties, in the context when the government is talking about the need to live with Covid at very high levels like we are seeing at the moment, very highly high daily case levels which are increasing, it poses the question, will the government ever repeal these repressive powers? Or are they likely to be permanent? Or are they likely to be permanent? Or are they likely to be permanent? Or are they likely to be permanent? Or are they likely to be permanent? All of the repressive powers we have in this state, the special criminal court, for example, were introduced at particular moments of time for particular emergencies. The same applies internationally in terms of the Patriot Act in the US and other legislation post 9-11 or in Britain post 7-7. Is the government planning to bring in more restrictive regulations in the near future due to its failure to deal with the current wave? There is a broader point here about the approach of the government to rely on the one hand on repressive powers, but then on the other hand, as has been interestingly referred to by a TD on the other side of the house already, lean and sway with the latest demands from business lobbying organisations and concede regardless of public health demands at any given point. We need to understand that it is clear and it was acknowledged by the experts in advance that while vaccines are absolutely crucial to fighting COVID and everybody needs to be encouraged to take vaccines, they are not a silver bullet. And so to protect Christmas, to mean that we are not in a situation of a so-called meaningful Christmas again, to prevent future lockdowns, we need a vaccine plus strategy. We need vaccination, we need ventilation and we need vastly increased amounts of testing compared to what we are currently doing. For over a year now, People Before Profit has been pushing for proper focus and investment on ventilation in our schools, in our offices and our hospitality settings. It is those indoor settings where transmission is taking place, but the government has completely refused again and again and again to take action in relation to this. Instead, the government has actually cut back on these services. You still have a situation today where there is no legislation about ventilation. It is a crazy situation when this is a virus which is primarily carried in the air that we do not have legislation about the right of workers to have clean air. The right of workers not to work in environments above 900 parts per million of CO2 or in circumstances where that is not possible with HEPA filters to ensure that COVID is not circulating. That brings me to the crucial question of the schools. We agree that schools need to remain open. But you should not sell the lie that schools are safe, that schools are not in place of transmission. It is patently not true. You should say clearly that schools need to remain open. That is vital in terms of our society. But then you have to put the supports in. We need HEPA filters in every single classroom in the state, as exists in parts of Australia. In Ireland we do not even have a single air purifier. We need to return to contact tracing and testing instead of continuing to turn a blind eye to what is happening. You cannot fight COVID on the cheap. We need to in between. We need to thank the honour from the US Secretary of Sciences and equipment staff and the authority from the US. Attention buscar Thank you so much. Before the Fireあり agreed? Open Park.
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