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'Absolutely bananas' that compulsory COVID-19 testing isn't in place at airports - Tóibín

It's 'absolutely bananas' that compulsory COVID-19 testing isn't in place at airports for people ...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

07.37 23 Dec 2020


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'Absolutely bananas' that comp...

'Absolutely bananas' that compulsory COVID-19 testing isn't in place at airports - Tóibín

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

07.37 23 Dec 2020


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It's 'absolutely bananas' that compulsory COVID-19 testing isn't in place at airports for people arriving in Ireland, according to Peadar Tóibín.

The Aontú TD also says the Dáil should be recalled to discuss the latest round of coronavirus restrictions.

Ireland will start a move to level five restrictions from tomorrow, with restrictions on the hospitality sector, inter-county travel and household visits coming into effect over the coming days.

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The latest lockdown comes amid a rapid surge in new infections over the past two weeks, as well as concern over the new strain of the virus detected in Britain.

Deputy Tóibín told Newstalk Breakfast that opposition TDs are finding out about the measures via social media like everyone else, and don't have the opportunity to directly question ministers about them.

'Absolutely bananas' that compulsory COVID-19 testing isn't in place at airports - Tóibín

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He said: "The elected representatives of the country should be the people who are bringing the concerns of the people to the Dáil to make sure we get this right. We're concerned the Government is not doing that.

"There's not a TD in the country that couldn't attend the Dáil today or yesterday... given the severity of these restrictions TDs can take a little bit of time out to get to the Dáil to discuss these restrictions."

Deputy Tóibín suggested Ireland is something of an 'outlier' in terms of the severity of restrictions compared to other countries.

He said he believes there's now a danger there could be a 'lockdown yo-yo situation' right up until June.

He said: "It's likely we won't have the necessary percent of the population vaccinated by June.

"I want to see the front-line of this illness being taken off the shoulders of the Irish people, and that the Irish government invests the necessary money into ICUs and hospital beds so that we have the capacity to deal with difficulties.

"We don't have compulsory airport testing yet for people who are coming into these countries is absolutely bananas."

Private COVID-19 testing is available for people arriving into Dublin Airport.

While there is no compulsory testing, those arriving in Ireland from Europe are advised to follow the guidelines around testing and self-isolation based on the traffic light system.

Main image: File photo of Peadar Tóibín. Photo:Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

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