Covid-19: Not everyone will be 'on the lash' for Christmas, says Taoiseach

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the government will be able to give a clearer picture of what restrictions will apply in the coming weeks. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Rollingnews.ie

Ireland will have a staged exit from Level 5 restrictions before Christmas if numbers drop, but Taoiseach Micheál Martin says that it "will be a different Christmas".

A "tweaked" Level 3 is Mr Martin's aim for when Level 5 ends on December 1, he told RTÉ Radio One.

Mr Martin added that whatever restrictions are imposed, gardaí will not be going to people's homes around the festive period.

"That will not be happening," he said.

Mr Martin has praised the public effort in Level 5, which is now at the halfway point, but said that effort needed to continue. He added that he believed that much had been learned by Irish people.

"I think we've learned a bit from Level 2, as it operated from the summer onwards. I think we've learned what worked and what didn't work. 

"And I think that will inform I think people's behaviours leading into Christmas, I get the sense from public they know what will be different, that not everybody if I use the phrase will be on the lash for Christmas.

"You know, we won't have the office parties that we would people might have had in previous years."

The hospitality sector will have to be examined, he said, wet pubs, in particular, would be a challenge and faced “real issues.” 

With regard to religious worship, Mr Martin said he had been in contact with religious leaders as there was a “strong spiritual” aspect to Christmas.

When asked if churches would be open for Christmas, Mr Martin replied: “I think churches will be open Christmas week.” 

The Taoiseach said that he would prefer for the entire country to come out of Level 5 at once. However, he said it was possible that some counties may or may not.

The Government will take advice from Nphet with regard to the exit from Level 5. 

“Ireland is doing well, we're in a good space, we want to stay there," he said. 

The airlines had already made it clear that they had “written off the next two months” and were preparing for Spring 2021. 

Mr Martin added that while he believed "very few people are travelling" and there would be far fewer emigrants returning this Christmas, the Government will give a clearer indication at the end of this month of what restrictions will apply. 

He echoed Tánaiste Leo Varadkar's insistence that people should wait to book their flights but added that "we need to keep it all in perspective”.

He said: "All of Europe is red at the moment, we don't want huge numbers of people coming from red areas."

On vaccines, Mr Martin said that "a lot depends on the regulatory bodies", so he could not predict when one might be rolled out in Ireland, but said that some time next year was his estimate.

Discussing the issue of the vote in the Northern Ireland Executive about the lifting of restrictions, Mr Martin said the cross community veto should not have been used in relation to public health. He said he had been in touch with the Northern Ireland Executive to express his concerns.

“From the get go we've had different perspectives. I'm glad they're continuing quite a number of the restrictions. Their numbers are worryingly high. The spillover effect is there.” 

 When asked about the controversy surrounding Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe, Mr Martin said he held the separation of powers “very dearly” but that the controversy had brought the matter up for consideration.

"I'm determined we maintain the integrity of our system and that we protect the Supreme Court.” 

The Government had not been misled about Judge Woulfe’s appointment, he said. “Only one name is brought to Cabinet” under the judicial appointment process.

“My general view on this, and we will have legislation coming through to deal with appointment of judges in the future, is the less political involvement the better."