Here in Clare, chair of the COVID-19 Oireachtas Committee Michael McNamara has criticised the government’s COVID communications.
The Scarriff TD is also concerned that changes to aviation, as confirmed by government yesterday, could come too late to make any significant difference.
Deputy Michael McNamara has been among the most vocal critics of the government’s COVID 19 policies, and that has continued in the wake of yesterday’s medium term COVID plan.
The Independent TD described the moves to adjourn the Dáil last evening as a “shambles” while today he also expressed disappointment over what he’s described as a lack of clarity on the future of aviation.
The government’s green list will be updated in the coming days, and Ireland is to adopt a Europe-wide approach to aviation, which won’t be confirmed until mid-October.
But Deputy McNamara, who is the Chair of the Oireachtas Covid-19 Committee, says the reality is that rising cases here means that could come far too late.
Ryanair, who have already threatened to close its base at Shannon this winter, have also criticised the plan, slamming yesterday’s announcements as “more delay and indecision.”
Shannon Chamber’s CEO Helen Downes says the policy need to best serve those who want to travel in and out of Ireland.
Separately today, a prominent Ennis GP has re-iterated her concerns about the workload the current pandemic is placing on family doctors.
Dr Máire Finn has predicted that every family will have to deal with up to three events over the coming months, which may require them to work from home.
However, she’s also concerned that the increased volume of queries and calls to GP surgeries is unsustainable.
However, Dr. Finn says everyone has to accept a change in our lives over the coming months.
