'This is not a police state' - Minister says lockdown not about snitching on neighbour

Simon Harris said while the new laws are needed to protect public health, ‘we are not living in a police state’.

Health Minister Simon Harris said new laws preventing unnecessary travel are “not about snitching on your neighbour”, as he appealed to people to stay at home this weekend.

Mr Harris signed beefed-up regulations on Tuesday night that will give Gardai the power to arrest and detain individuals flouting the Covid-19 restrictions.