The Government needs to put forward a long-term coronavirus-response plan as the country prepares for a “completely and utterly different challenge” this winter.

The Labour Party leader Alan Kelly has warned that many of the measures currently in place offer only short-term solutions to a long-term problem.

On The Hard Shoulder this evening, Deputy Kelly said officials are facing a different set of circumstances than they were when the first cases was diagnosed in Ireland just over six months ago.

“When COVID came to Ireland it was a period where there was decent enough weather and we were leading into the summer.

“Now, we know it is going to be with us so what is the plan for the next six months?”

“Certainly, it is going to be a completely and utterly different challenge.”

"Broader plan"

He said officials need to put forward a “broader plan and vision” for living with the virus in the coming months.

“We had a plan in the previous Government for all the phasing,” he said. “I think the Taoiseach needs to come out with a similar type plan, not necessarily with phases, but with a vision for how we are going to get through this.

“We all know at this stage that we are not going to have a vaccine any time soon – hopefully at some stage next year.

“We have never dealt with a winter scenario with COVID before. We have seen from the Southern Hemisphere that flu will be less of an issue but it will still be an issue.”

Restrictions

The Labour leader said people will struggle with the restrictions unless there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“We need to present a vision for people over 70 or indeed people over eighty because they have to have a life,” he said.

“I look at my own parents, they are both in their 80s, they have to have a life.

“We can’t just say we are closing down society and, even though you have paid your taxes, you have raised your families, you have made your contribution, you know what now? You can’t have some sort of quality of life.

“That is not acceptable so what is the plan for doing that? And for younger people as well.”

Deputy Kelly said the HSE will need ‘huge financial support’ to get through the winter.

“There are huge challenges here for Stephen Donnelly and I am desperate to see what plan he is going to bring forward for the winter months – and he will have to bring it forward soon.”

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