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THE TAOISEACH HAS said the number of cases of Covid-19 can be reduced without having to go into a lockdown.
Micheal Martin said the Government has other options and responses to help tackle rising case numbers.
Speaking in Cork, Martin said he believes pressure on the health service can be reduced, adding that the booster campaign will “have an impact”.
“We can reduce the spread of this virus,” he added.
“The real issue here is the severe illness that people get from Covid. It can have very damaging impacts on people, in terms of long-term Covid and having to be hospitalised so we need to get it down.
“The level of suppression has been quite high, we need to do more and get the R number below 1.
“The responses during this phase don’t necessarily have to be the same as the early phases and we will take it step by step.”
Martin also said that the Government is conscious that the decision to bring in restrictions last week has had an impact on the hospitality sector.
The Fianna Fáil leader said the effect of restrictions will be assessed during a meeting of ministers this evening.
Senior ministers will meet to discuss a range of financial supports for the hospitality sector.
“The spirit in which we have approached this from the outset in terms of supporting businesses has been one of support, through EWSS (Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme) and other measures, rates relief and so on,” he added.
“That’s the ethos by which we have governed, we have supported enterprises so they could keep workers intact.
“It’s the spirit in which we will look at this, this evening. I can’t get into specifics but we will be guided by advice.
“I know ministers for finance and public expenditure, Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath, will talk on this evening.
“I am conscious that decisions last week have resulted in a lot of cancellations in hospitality and that has had impact. So we will assess all of that this evening.
“Within hospitality there has been a lot of feedback, there are shortages in hospitality, so we will do an assessment as to whether hospitality can absorb any staff that may not be fully retained in the night-time economy because of measures we have taken.
“The feedback has been a lot vacancies in the hospitality sector in terms of recruiting staff.”
Earlier, the Chief Medical Officer warned people against using antigen tests if they have symptoms of Covid-19.
Dr Tony Holohan said there are many people who do not understand when antigen tests should be used.
He said that about one in five adults reported using a rapid test in recent weeks, with the majority of those adults having had symptoms.
The medical expert warned that is not the public health advice, and that people with symptoms need to take a PCR test.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly will bring a memo to Cabinet tomorrow that could see the Government subsidise the tests.
Dr Holohan said it is not a mistake to subsidise the rapid tests, but said the public has to understand when they should be used.
“We’ve always said there’s a role for these tests. These tests have been used for quite a period of time, we’ve always recommended the use of high incidence situations to support the investigation of outbreaks,” Dr Holohan told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
“The issue is that, we have survey data that we generate through our weekly population survey. Our most recent data from Wednesday of last week shows that in the previous week, about one in five adults report that they used an antigen test in the previous week.
“The majority of those said that they use them when they have symptoms, that is not the public health advice. Then those who use them when they had symptoms, only about a third of them went on to take a PCR test and restrict their movements. Again, that’s not the public health advice.
“What we really need to do now is focus on trying to ensure that people understand when they should use them.
“So if you have symptoms, a PCR test is the right test. An antigen test is not the test for you.”
He said that people who are asymptomatic should take a rapid test before taking part in “some high-risk activity” or thinking of going to a wedding.
He said that a positive result is what the public should rely on.
“If the result comes back positive, you stay away. If the result is negative, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have the disease,” he added.
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There should be a debate on immigration. It is being swept under the rug by mainstream media..
@Patrick Mulkerrin: and all the candidates who ran in June on the alleged immigration issue got less than 1% support.
@Johnny Wilson: that was local not national, different ballgame. Immigration issue is a massive issue and needs managing. Only fair to see what each party would do to improve on current dire situation before we vote.
@Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson: obviously not if no one is bringing it up- except some Journal commentator- hardly representative of anyone
@Sean Hayes: do you not actually believe it’s an issue ?
@Sean Hayes: bad rage bait
@Patrick Mulkerrin: All have their heads buried in the sand, thousands still arriving weekly, it’s unsustainable as we don’t have the Housing or Public Services, it’s not going to end well, massive social division & anger on the ground. People understand Immigration & the need for a structured system, but what we have at present is a mess.
Yes we need to stop SF moving pedos to this country
@Patrick Mulkerrin: it’s pretty simple ” we are full”
I really don’t think the voting people of Ireland want to hear about sport in fairness
@James Carolan: what about casement park. I work hard and my taxes go to pay for a stadium up north. Really pisses me off.
@Alan: it’s not though. Btw, it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of funding Ireland already provides to the north, which you’re clearly unaware of.
@James Carolan: Go to Oriel Park and tell me that
@Eoin .h: I’m talking about what might happen. Would rather see the money going into school sports facilities. Let commercial enterprises take care of themselves. As for GAA, dont get me started
@James Carolan: I do. For starters any politician who wants to spend our tax money to build a stadium in Northern Ireland wouldn’t get my vote
@Ger Whelan: wow, it’s that much of a red line issue for you? I doubt that’s been registered on the doors for the last two weeks
@James Carolan: Agreed. Sport is important to the lives of many people but realistically is not a national election issue.
@Social Guy: as an aside: can we have the old comment functionality back please? Getting bounced out of the comments when commenting is VERY annoying. The new format is very poor. There doesn’t seem to be any benefit to it.
Why waste a cent on nordies
@Social Guy: sport is more important than housing dole parasites
@Alan: That the GAA is a brilliant organisation that makes and saves millions for the irish exchequer.
I would like to ask them a couple of questions
Kilmore Celtic fc from Coolock founded in 1990 still have no facilities toilets etc we have 14 teams underage girls boys 18 boys 17 girls senior men’s team we really need all weather facilities badly which would be used seven days a week keeping kids out of trouble FAI have a lot to answer for they do nothing shocking
How come bohemian fc can come into Coolock and take over Oscar Traynor road development centre when lease clearly states local needs non profit all councillors and TD were well aware of this and done nothing for local clubs kids need sports so bad
Seriously like we don’t have enough problems to be worried about who is going to maintain the football pitches
@thanks for the beautiful music christy rest in pea: Go to Oriel Park park anx come back to me
They’ll debate about sports but not on the issues that actually matter, like immigrations, taxes and the national debt. Maybe because none of the parties have any sort of answer to those issues in question.
Jesus wept
Bread and circuses
Fantastic idea, put it on a channel that isn’t free to air
Wouldn’t it be more useful for the electorate to know the identity of the alleged Russian spy referred to as Cobalt if he/she is running for the Dail.
Wouldn’t it also be more useful to the electorate to know the identity of the person allegedly standing for election, but not for any party, who allegedly is/was under investigation by the Gardai for allegedly assaulting her/his/their sister, an assault that allegedly involved hair pulling.
A debate to deflect from the real issues, Matt Cooper wont have a debate on issues like Immigration, Housing, Law & Order or Cost of Living, too close to the Political classes. No clear lines of separation between Mainstream Media & Govt & the voice of the people is not being heard. Radical change needed, vote radically so we get rid of Govt & their media buddies.
Could be an interesting watch
Ireland holds its breath with anticipation
have your say