The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has said one of the reasons why the country is at Level 5 restrictions is to give people the "best possible chance of having a decent December and a decent Christmas".
Michael McGrath, speaking on his way into a Cabinet meeting, said he hoped that "we get to that point" and that there are some encouraging signs, but also no room for complacency.
Yesterday, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said there were some positive indications about the transmission of Covid-19.
The issue of Irish citizens returning home for Christmas has "not yet been considered" by Cabinet, said Mr McGrath.
He said when you see what is happening in other European countries, "we really don't want to go there" and this was the reason why people were being asked to make sacrifices.
Minister Michael McGrath also said the issue of Irish citizens returning home for Christmas has not yet been considered by cabinet but he said the current restrictions were design to allow the country to have a "decent December and a decent Christmas" @rtenews pic.twitter.com/lEHFxEVz9C
— Samantha Libreri (@SamanthaLibreri) October 28, 2020
The minister also said there has been no request from authorities in the North to use ICU capacity here, but if any such request was made, it would be given "very serious consideration".
The Minister for Transport said the Government wants an airport testing system in place not just for Christmas but beyond that to make it easier for people to travel.
Eamon Ryan said the Government wants to give people the ability to take a test and "free them for the two-week rule".
Speaking on his way into today's Cabinet meeting, Mr Ryan said airport testing was also needed to ensure connectivity for the island and so that people who need to travel can do so safely.
He said the Government wanted this but it was a matter of implementing the policy.
There are some encouraging signs relating to Covid-19 numbers but it is not the time to be complacent, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has cautioned | Read more: https://t.co/CNmH8NACBQ pic.twitter.com/guxeTLhQrD
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 28, 2020
Asked about the CervicalCheck tribunal, Minister Michael McGrath said the Minister for Health is keen to work with the 221+plus group and take on board their concerns about the Cervical Check tribunal.
Mr McGrath said the Government is "trying to be helpful here" and not do anything against the wishes of the people who have been most affected by the issue.
In relation to mother-and-baby homes, he said it was never the intention for the legislation passed last week to cause such anger and anxiety.
Putting records beyond the reach of people was not the effect of the legislation, said the minister.
He said there are outstanding issues about access to records and tracing but that Cabinet is determined to resolve them.
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