Sinn Féin’s McDonald’s questions Irish government’s response to coronavirus

The Irish government’s response to an alleged Covid-19 case raises serious questions, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said.

Cabinet members were told to restrict their movements after Health Minister Stephen Donnelly reported that he was feeling unwell Tuesday afternoon.

Initially it was announced that they would have to isolate themselves and the parliament would be suspended indefinitely.

“The idea that the entire government would be paralyzed because one person, an individual minister had to be evaluated raises some serious questions about how organized the government is,” McDonald said.

“If there is not a strong enough protocol, we will certainly have to revisit it.”

On Wednesday, the National Public Health Emergency Team confirmed that there had been three more deaths and 254 new cases of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland.

It brings the total number of deaths from coronavirus to 1,788 in the country.

Speaking previously on BBC Radio Foyle, McDonald said: “We are seeing how to deal with and live with this virus for quite some time and the idea that the government in Dublin, or indeed Belfast, does not work, it is not a corridor.”

“You must have an organized plan and protocol and you must act confidently, but you must ensure that services continue to the best of your ability.

“In the times when we are faced with the Covid crisis, a looming Brexit crisis, the last thing we need in Dublin is a cabinet that cannot function.”

The Sinn Féin president also questioned the speed with which Donnelly received the results of his coronavirus tests.

“The Health Minister was very lucky to get the results of his test in a matter of hours, which is not the experience of countless ordinary citizens,” he said.

“He has raised some eyebrows and raised questions about the test and trace system.”

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin said the cabinet’s decision to restrict his movements came from “great caution”.

Ceann Comhairle (Spokesperson) Seán Ó Feargháil told Dáil shortly after 17:00 local time that after “very serious information emerging from today’s events, the cabinet must now isolate itself.”

However, the Dáil met again after 20:00, and Mr. Ó Feargháil explained that he had been informed that the parliament should be adjourned and then the taoiseach called him.

Donnelly had attended a press conference Tuesday morning when the Irish government unveiled a five-stage plan for living with Covid-19.

The coronavirus plan outlined by the Irish government outlined stricter rules for Dublin over the next several weeks due to increased infections in the city.

Pubs that don’t serve food can reopen on September 21, except in Dublin where they must be closed.

Home visits in the city are now limited to six people, and guests from a single household are allowed.

McDonald said the plan was unclear and asked for clarity on Dublin’s restrictions.

“We need the government to be direct with the people of Dublin so that the city and the county know where things are and what the course of action is,” he said.

He added that it was “crucial” to get the tests right.

Later on Wednesday, Acting Medical Director Dr. Ronan Glynn said the situation was deteriorating not just in Dublin, but nationally as well.

“Along with Dublin, we have seen particularly worrying trends in Louth, Waterford and Donegal (counties),” he said.

“It is now absolutely essential that people follow public health advice and act as if they or their loved ones are potentially infectious,” added Dr. Glynn.

The R number, the average number of people to whom an infected person transmits Covid-19 after contracting the disease, is between 1.3 and 1.7, health authorities said.

NPHET Professor Philip Nolan said he’s “more concerned than I have in no time since late April.”

“The number of cases appears to be growing exponentially and is likely to double every 10 to 14 days if each of us does not act immediately to break the chains of transmission of the virus,” he said.