Leinster House hit by Covid with 10 isolated staff members

Leinster House has been hit by a new Covid shock.

The headquarters of the country’s parliament headquarters has lost 10 employees who have been told to stay away from work after the Covid strike.

The Irish Mirror has learned that there has been a confirmed case among one of the most important groups of staff in the House, the Ushers.

And that nine more of this essential staff have been deemed close contacts and told to isolate themselves at home.

This has led to a renewed sense of caution on the Leinster House campus following news of the virus on campus.

Leinster House was shaken the week before Christmas when a cabinet member, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConologue, was confirmed to have tested positive for Covid.

And there was another upheaval last month when another minister, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, who is pregnant, contracted the virus and would isolate herself.

House staff were particularly attentive at a press conference at Leinster House Plinth this morning, with kind reminders to maintain social distancing.

A spokeswoman for the Casas del Oireachtas said: “We have a long-standing policy whereby we do not comment on personnel matters.”

A recent tip distributed to all staff, including politicians, at Leinster House states: “The Houses of Oireachtas have engaged with everyone in the parliamentary community (members, political staff, Oireachtas staff, members of the press and contractors) in our combined efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Oireachtas complex which includes the Dublin Convention Center.

“The Response Plan to implement the protocol standards has been approved by the Health and Safety Committee that represents everyone in the Parliamentary Community.”

And it was reported that the following precautions are applied in all Oireachtas buildings:

• Wear a mask – (not a visor) at all times while in the Oireachtas complex or at the Dublin Convention Center, except when alone, while participating in debates or while eating / drinking;

• Approved seats – Use only “approved” seats in plenary chambers, committee rooms, and dining rooms, and do not move tables or chairs from approved positions;