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Ireland\u2019s Covid-19 case numbers are \u201cgoing in the right direction\u201d, Leo Varadkar has said.<\/p>\nIreland\u2019s Covid-19 case numbers are \u201cgoing in the right direction\u201d, Leo Varadkar has said.<\/p>\n
The T\u00e1naiste said falling case numbers prove that lockdown is working and strengthen the case for a phased reopening of schools, which he described as a Government priority.<\/p>\n
However, Mr Varadkar warned there remains a \u201clong way to go\u201d in the battle against the virus.<\/p>\n
He said numbers, while improved, are still well above the peak figures for the first wave last year.<\/p>\n
His comments came at a meeting of Fine Gael\u2019s parliamentary party on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Members heard the Government is doing its best to co-ordinate with other jurisdictions, with five operating on the two islands of Ireland and Britain.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Fine Gael TDs unanimously passed a motion calling for a review into the consistency of remote learning while schools are closed; the capacity to accelerate the reopening of schools on a phased basis; and certainty around whether state examinations will be held this year.<\/p>\n
The meeting also heard that everything possible is being done to get schools back up and running.<\/p>\n
It comes as post-primary teachers’ unions disagreed on Wednesday evening over a move to facilitate the return of Leaving Certificate students to classrooms this month.<\/p>\n
However, both the Teachers’ Union of Ireland and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland backed the reopening of special classes in secondary schools from February 22nd.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a further 54 deaths and 1,006 new cases of Covid-19 were announced on Wednesday.<\/p>\n