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The Taoiseach has said an important objective of Ireland’s newly introduced lockdown was to allow people to return to their daily routines in December.<\/p>\nThe Taoiseach has said an important objective of Ireland’s newly introduced lockdown was to allow people to return to their daily routines in December.<\/p>\n
Miche\u00e1l Martin said the six-week lockdown will be \u201csevere\u201d on people and businesses.<\/p>\n
He called on the public to work together and observe the regulations in the hope that some businesses could return before Christmas.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe six-week lockdown is very severe on many people, on many businesses. The virus is on the rise across Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Government has continued to allocate the resources necessary to the health service, both in terms of building up testing and tracing capacity and also hospital capacity.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that if we all work together we can achieve this.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cWe\u2019re determined that for the month of December in particular, people will get an opportunity to engage in their daily routines, in particular certain employments can come back into play ahead of that crucial period.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is an important objective. But it can only be achieved if we all work together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Martin also appeared to rule out the introduction of curfews as an additional lockdown measure, as has been done in places like France.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI\u2019m not really the curfew type. I\u2019m not being flippant. I don\u2019t see that. Other countries are doing things differently.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore the curfew, they will be having activities that we won\u2019t be having. I\u2019m not of a mind to embrace that concept as of now. But I\u2019m always listening to the latest research as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the Government has introduced tough new fines for those who fail to comply with the guidelines, he suggested they would be used sparingly, and target repeat offenders.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe don\u2019t want to be fining anybody. This is about a culture of compliance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe garda\u00ed have done very well in terms of engaging with the public. That\u2019s a last resort as Justice Minister Helen McEntee said.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe garda\u00ed are only interested in compliance. Nonetheless, some do need to know that you can\u2019t just, on a serial basis, keep on breaking the regulations.\u201d<\/p>\n