Seanad pass 'draconian' emergency Covid-19 legislation despite 'serious concerns'

"I never thought I'd see a bill like this before us, but we know it must be passed," said Senator James Reilly. .

Seanad Éireann put "serious concerns" to one side to pass the government’’s "draconian" emergency COVID19 legislation.

The Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill gives the government sweeping new powers to restrict travel in and out of the state, to certain areas within the state, ban gatherings and detain those they suspect of carrying the virus, were passed with one amendment in the Dáil on Thursday night.