Government must publish evidence Indicating Indoor Dining is more Dangerous in Ireland than in Europe - Tóibín
Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has called on the government to publish evidence which shows that Irish indoor dining is more dangerous than that in European restaurants and pubs.
He stated;
“It looks like the Irish government is about to U-turn on the opening of indoor dining in pubs and restaurants again. Many of these pubs are closed for over 430 days. They are closed longer than their counterparts in any other European country. Indeed they are unique in Europe in being full closed. This obviously has done enormous damage. Tens of thousands of hospitality workers are out of work. Many of the businesses themselves are in a Zombie state, surviving only on government supports. When these supports are taken away many will not survive”.
“If the government is going to make a policy decision in the opposite direction of every other European country, at the very least, they need to explain scientifically why. If the Government are going to hammer tens of thousands of workers, families and owners again they need to explain scientifically why. Aontú are calling on the government to publish this evidence. We are also calling on the government to publish the number of Covid cases, outbreaks and hospitalisations that have been caused by indoor dining in Hotels. We are asking the Gov to publish the evidence to say that indoor dining is more dangerous in restaurants than hotels. These decisions must be empirically based. Citizens, workers and owners effected have a right to see this evidence”.
“Restrictions are necessary when the hospital system is in danger of being overwhelmed.. Thankfully less than 50 people have Covid in hospital. Only 16 people are in ICU with Covid. Thankfully we are a million miles from our health service being overwhelmed at this point”
