The HSE’s own data shows COVID outbreaks are “by a country mile” more common in family homes than bars and restaurants, according to Sligo TD Marc MacSharry.
He was speaking after NPHET advised the Government to shut pubs and restaurants at 5pm each day in response to the Omicron variant.
NPHET has not recommended the early closure of schools for Christmas, or any further limits on household visits.
Deputy MacSharry resigned from the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party earlier this year in protest at the party’s ‘undemocratic totalitarian’ leadership.
The September vote of no confidence in the Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney triggered his resignation; however, he has long been a critic of the Government’s approach to COVID.
Household transmission
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Deputy MacSharry said Government now should now reject NPHET’s latest advice.
“I read, with interest, every week, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) data and I think beyond doubt it shows that all our clusters and outbreaks in terms of numbers - the hot points - are homes rather than managed settings – be it a café, a restaurant, a bar, an activity centre or whatever.
“That’s by a country mile. I mean the week ending December 11th, [there were] in the region of 12,000 outbreaks family homes, whereas collectively the kind of activity or recreation - bars and so on - in the region of 500 or 600. So no, I don’t agree with this.
“I think that, as things stand, the public are getting a little confused because we are all getting vaccinated, we are all getting boosted and towns, villages and Dublin City, where I was out the other evening, are effectively empty.”
"One-dimensional approach"
He said it is already clear that the vast majority of people have already modified their behaviours due to Omicron fears, adding: “Why go further?”
“COVID isn’t going away,” he said. “Winter is going to come every year and we need to develop a plan to live with this.”
He said the Government’s “one-dimensional approach to COVID” focused on lockdown and vaccination was “among the many reasons I resigned from the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party”.
“Our approach is guided by fear and an irrational risk-aversion,” he said.
“Now I am not for one second dismissing the dangers of Omicron. I am boosted and vaccinated as are most people and I don’t think you can finger a particular social outlet – be it going to a sporting occasion a bar, café or restaurant as the sliver bullet to this.
“The figures from the HPSC just don’t back it up."
Leaks
Deputy MacSharry also hit out at the fact NPHET’s advice was leaked to the public before it was presented to Government ministers.
“NPHET should not be a in a position where they announce or leak their advice to the entire nation 24-hours out,” he said.
“All the other Government departments and agencies that advise government ministers and Taoisigh on a daily basis – none of them are on Twitter, none of them are putting their messages out in advance.”
The Cabinet sub-committee on COVID is due to meet at around noon to discuss the latest advice ahead of a full Cabinet meeting this afternoon.
The Taoiseach is likely to address the nation once again this afternoon.
