Liam Herrick: Covid strategy needs more carrot and less stick 

There is an increasing fixation on villains: holidaymakers, house party-goers, burger-buying drivers, vaccine reluctant workers, which is a sign of political system running out of ideas and seeking targets to blame.

International travel is undoubtedly a key public health concern, particularly in the face of emerging Covid variants, but it is not the main issue facing Ireland at this point in the pandemic.

All through this pandemic the Government has had to make difficult choices about restricting our rights to achieve public health goals. In response, our communities have made incredible sacrifices to protect one another. 

This is challenging for everyone and it only works if there is a relationship of trust between the decision-makers and those who are asked to comply. This trust is hard won and easily lost. Communications, messaging and tone matter.