It is absolutely my intention to share the rationale for any decisions made, under any such provisions of this Bill, with the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Senator will know this, but for the benefit of people following the proceedings, I remind them that the reason we are bringing in these measures is purely the extraordinary situation of a global pandemic in which we find ourselves. These measures are time limited until November unless these Houses decide to extend that. The purpose of the text of the provision c…

As regards dentists, I gave a commitment yesterday that my Department would make contact which it did. I think there is a meeting scheduled for Monday with the Irish Dental Association. It is important that they engage on this and get clarity on all the issues, which they need. As to the issue of detention, the Senator will know this is very much a public health Bill. We will be taking a health-led approach. We will hope never to have to use these powers, and if we do have to detain someone it would be for the purp…

I thank Senators for these questions and I wish to provide reassurance at the outset. I am the Minister for Health and have no wish to detain anybody. We are talking about a situation where we believe somebody could have Covid-19 and we want to assist the person medically and isolate him or her for the protection of people from this pandemic and the person is refusing, for whatever reason, to take that assistance. We believe it is highly unlikely that this will arise. Senator Reilly will know, as a former Minister …

It is not our intention to interfere with the Mental Health Act 2001 or the safeguards in that at all, but I agree fully with the points made by Senator Higgins about the vulnerability of some of our citizens and the capacity-making powers of some individuals and the need for advocacy. It is absolutely my intention, the intention of the Government and, I note, the intention of the Oireachtas from this debate that there would be a very central role for advocacy. When somebody is detained under the provisions of this…

Does this relate to notices to quit?

I thank Senator Devine for her amendment and the work she has done in the area. We want to ensure the health service has the people it needs that may need to be vetted but we will look at this separately from the Bill. I give a commitment to return to this but I will look at this separately from this Bill.

I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." We are truly, as the Ceann Comhairle has outlined, living in extraordinary times. The pandemic we are now endeavouring to deal with was unknown to our world just a number of weeks ago. Now it is often all we think and talk about. Today's sitting is in and of itself reflective of the extraordinary impact of Covid-19. Despite this perhaps being the biggest single issue this Oireachtas may face with our people, the public health advice is that we cannot all gather her…

I heard earlier from many Members of the House that they wanted to see what is commonly referred to as a sunset clause in respect of the emergency powers. I indicated on the record of the House a willingness to do that. We obviously just want to make sure it is done correctly. There are quite a few amendments down, all endeavouring, from my interpretation, to achieve the same effect, that the emergency health powers would have a time limit and if the time limit were to be extended it would require the consent of th…

Rather than debating the amendment on the floor of the House, what I would be more than happy to do is interact with Deputies between now and the House resuming at 7 p.m.

I move: "That under Standing Order 184 the Committee postpone consideration of sections 1 and 2 of the Bill until all the other sections of the Bill are disposed of."

I wish to be helpful as Deputy Thomas Byrne makes a very valid point. Members of this House, across the aisles and across parties, have made very constructive suggestions and proposals across a range of areas, including the issue of protection for homeowners and people who rent. The Government will table legislation in the Dáil next Thursday to protect renters. It is important, taking on board Deputy Byrne's point, that the Government must and will engage with all Deputies in advance of that. My understanding is th…

I appreciate the Ceann Comhairle's clarification that the Government has no role in ruling amendments in or out of order. This is a dynamic and evolving situation that I have no doubt the House will be dealing with in many ways, in many fora including on the floor of the House, in the coming days and weeks. We will debate further legislation next week and there will be another opportunity to consider another ambit of measures. I will certainly reflect on the drafting issue that Deputy O'Callaghan raised when I appe…

I will do my best. First, one does not need a public services card to apply for this scheme. The details of the scheme are on gov.ie . People are, as Deputy Brady rightly said, for obvious reasons instructed not to attend Intreo centres to make applications. In light of the current unprecedented circumstances, the Department is implementing our own HSE advice on social distancing and is therefore not requiring individuals to verify their identity to SAFE registration levels. Regarding Ross's situation, we do not be…

That is my belief. One can be topped up to €305 but one can only get one payment. On childcare, my understanding is this is a group of workers and employers who should not be excluded but there is clearly a need for engagement with the sector and the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, will undertake to do that. There is no means test for this six-week period and there is no reduced rate for those under 25 years old.

I am taking on another Department and learning as I go. One does not require a public services card at this time due to the exceptional nature of what we are going through with people accessing these payments. A person who is self-employed can apply for these supports without showing he or she has permanently shut down his or her business because as the Deputy said, he or she may only be out work for a brief period of time. On the issue of pensioners, Deputy O'Dea raised a valid point. The Department tells me that …

There is no current provision in that regard.

I am not in a position to accept the amendment because I believe we can achieve what Deputy O'Reilly is endeavouring to achieve. We are satisfied that the definition of "home" covers a place of lodging from a legal perspective. More importantly, on Deputy Ó Snodaigh's point, if people find themselves not in a position to be able to adequately self-isolate in their home or place of lodging, or however we refer to it, there will obviously be an obligation on us to ensure they can safely self-isolate somewhere else. T…

I am more than happy to respond.

I am in your hands, a Cheann Comhairle.