10 people Max at a Funeral in the Biggest Building in Each Town Yet You Can queue for Ice-cream in Shops

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has called for the easing of restrictions around funeral services and burials.

Deputy Tóibín said: "Many of the government’s restrictions are not making sense. Churches are typically the biggest buildings in each town yet there is a cruel 10 people limit at funerals. While at the same time people can stand in a que for wine and crisps in their local shop”.

As we enter our second year of lockdowns, I'm calling on the government to ease the restrictions around funerals. Many families who lost loved ones at the start of the pandemic, who were unable to give them a proper send off, were known to console themselves with the idea that they could do something moving to mark the first anniversary. The first anniversaries of those who died during the first wave are coming up shortly, and we are all still in lockdown".

Deputy Tóibín continued: "It makes no sense whatsoever. Churches are the biggest buildings in each town, social distancing is easy within a church - ever second pew remains closed off with people encouraged to sit at the end of each seat. Stewards and ushers, alongside undertakers and priests have done a fantastic job in ensuring social distancing and regular sanitisation to date. Nonetheless, as it stands only ten people are permitted into churches for funerals, and yet in a much smaller shop next-door to the church twenty people could queue up for ice creams. Limiting attendance at funerals to ten is cruel, especially for families who consist of more than ten siblings".

"We really need to start assessing the psychological damage this pandemic and lockdown has caused to our nation, and figure out ways to begin the process of healing our people mentally and psychologically. People who die from Covid-19 are not allowed have an open coffin, understandably, but I cannot begin to imagine the distress that causes to families. To be forced to walk that journey of grief alone, without the presence of loved ones or neighbors, must be an appalling experience. The limitations around attendance at burials - in a wide open field / graveyard - are most bizarre also. We need to prioritise the easing of restrictions around funerals. These cruel restrictions are causing untold hurt and pain. ", concluded Deputy Tóibín. CRIOCH

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.