Irish MEPs have written to the Government seeking a relaxation of the Covid-19 rules governing their return to Ireland from Belgium or France.
In a joint letter, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green Party MEPs are asking that the 14-day quarantine requirement be lifted for MEPs who receive a negative coronavirus test before leaving Brussels.
The request follows the dramatic resignation last week of Phil Hogan, Ireland's EU Commissioner, after it was found he had not followed the obligation to restrict his movements when arriving from a non-Green List country.
The letter, which has been published by a number of media outlets, was sent by the leaders of the three party groups within the European Parliament to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar.
The MEPs argue that the 14-day quarantine restricts their ability to carry out their duties when moving between Ireland, Brussels and Strasbourg, the seat of the European Parliament.
"This week, the European Parliament reconvened after the summer break and will sit weekly, in either Strasbourg or Brussels, until Christmas.
"To fully carry out our duties, we need to attend in person," reads the letter from Billy Kelleher (Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South), Seán Kelly (Fine Gael MEP For Ireland South) and Ciarán Cuffe (Green Party MEP for Dublin).
"Under the current guidelines, each of us must quarantine for two weeks upon our return to Ireland. This significantly restricts our activities when we are home.
"We understand that guideline[s] for essential workers are under consideration, and hope that the needs of those in similar circumstances can be taken into consideration, whether it be long-distance heavy goods vehicle drivers or Government ministers.
"We believe pre and post travel Covid-19 testing would reduce the potential risk of infection and transmission of the virus and allow Irish MEPs to carry out their jobs fully," the MEPs wrote.
