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Former Rural Affairs Minister Michael Ring has said he will not vote in favor of fines for people in rural areas of Ireland who violate the 5km travel restriction.
Peaking at a Fine Gael parliamentary party, Ring said the government should have stuck to Level 3 restrictions rather than imposing a national lockdown.
The May TD said the rules established at Level 3 should have been enforced rather than introducing stricter regulations.
The Dáil will debate tomorrow the new system of fines for non-compliance with public health regulations. This will include a € 500 fine for anyone traveling more than 5 km from home for a non-essential purpose.
Fine Gael MPs, Senators and MEPs are meeting by teleconference to discuss the latest public health measures introduced by the Government.
“Ring let out a roar,” said a source before adding that the former minister said “we should have stayed at Level 3.”
Another source said: “Michael Ring will not vote for fines for people in rural Ireland who break the 5km rule.”
Former Education Minister Joe McHugh also raised a problem with the 5 km of rural rural Ireland.
McHugh said that during the first lockdown the nights were brighter and people may now have to travel more than 3 miles to find a safe place to walk on winter nights.
The Donegal TD did not go as far as Ring in saying it would vote against fines for breaking the rule.
Several party members, including Kildare North’s TD Bernard Durkan and Sen. Regina Doherty, expressed concern over the division of the country before the second shutdown.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said he feared a “mental health epidemic” would ensue after the Covid-19 pandemic.
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