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The government was plunged into “incredible chaos” after the Dáil was hastily withdrawn last night after the entire Cabinet was forced into isolation because Health Minister Stephen Donnelly fell ill.
Hours earlier, TDs were told that the affairs of parliament were suspended until next Tuesday, as the government’s Living with Covid plan was described as “confusing” and “chaotic.”
The TDs were removed after Taoiseach Micheál Martin moved to ensure that junior ministers replaced their top colleagues in the Dáil chamber with considerable acrimony last night.
Donnelly was referred for a Covid test shortly after he felt ill in the wake of the cabinet meeting and press conference at Dublin Castle. He received a test Tuesday night that came back negative a few hours later.
A spokeswoman for the minister said at the time: “Everyone who attended Tuesday’s cabinet meeting and Monday’s Covid committee meeting should restrict their movements and avoid people outside their homes,” as a precaution until Donnelly’s results are received.
As a result, on the advice of medical director Ronan Glynn, all cabinet ministers were advised to restrict their movements, pending the result of Donnelly’s Covid test. Dr. Glynn himself was also restricting his movements given his proximity to members of the Cabinet in recent days.
There was harsh criticism about the way in which the Dáil was suspended and later it was recalled with the TDs of the Opposition enraged because the political correspondents knew more than they did about what was happening.
Independent TD Michael McNamara described the events of the day as a “disaster.”
“We have a constitution in this country, three branches of government, one has barely functioned during the last three months, one is in self-isolation and we are seated.
“The role of the Taoiseach is not to tell the Dáil what to do, the role of the Dáil is to hold the Taoiseach accountable,” he said.
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl said he has “absolutely no difficulty” with the “legitimate questions” posed by Labor leader Alan Kelly and Sinn Fein whip Pádraig MacLoughlainn, who described the events as “an incredible disaster”.
“I have no difficulty with the way I acted, I don’t think anyone else would have acted differently,” Ceann Comhairle told Dáil.
Previously, the government was accused of leaving Dublin “in limbo” after announcing a new plan to live with Covid-19.
Under the plan, the entire country will be listed at a level two out of five, which means life in Ireland will continue as it has been for much of the summer.
However, there will be additional restrictions in Dublin, where Covid cases have increased dramatically in recent weeks.
“It is stricter than level 2, but not quite level 3,” said a source after a detailed discussion among ministers.
Several cabinet sources have suggested that a move to level three is “likely” later this week or early next, if the numbers remain high.
Pubs in Dublin will remain closed and a limitation on the number of visitors to the houses will take effect from midnight tonight, under new government restrictions.
Mr Martin said that additional restrictions in Dublin, limiting home visits and forcing the continued closure of wet bars, were necessary as the increase in cases in Dublin was “concerning”.
Responding to the plan, Social Democratic leader Roisin Shortall said: “The new plan was supposed to provide clarity on all five levels of risk, but on the first day of the announcement, the government decided to muddy the waters by talking about level two and a bit.”
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