{"id":24266,"date":"2021-12-05T09:34:42","date_gmt":"2021-12-05T14:34:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24266"},"modified":"2021-12-05T09:34:45","modified_gmt":"2021-12-05T14:34:45","slug":"sinn-fein-accuse-government-of-mixed-messaging-on-new-restrictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24266","title":{"rendered":"Sinn F\u00e9in Accuse Government Of ‘Mixed Messaging’ On New Restrictions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A range of restrictions will be in place from December 7th to January 9th, including the closing of nightclubs and new limits on household gatherings (PA)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Government has been accused of \u201cmixed messaging\u201d on new Covid-19 regulations by Sinn F\u00e9in, after the T\u00e1naiste said that tightening restrictions at the current time was \u201cpeculiar\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Government Minister has also said that the restrictions introduced by the Government on Friday will be lifted if concerns about the Omicron variant do not materialize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A range of restrictions will be in place from December 7th to January 9th, including the closing of nightclubs and new limits on household gatherings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It comes amid concern about increased socializing at Christmas and the threat posed by the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an interview with the Sunday Business Post, Leo Varadkar said: \u201cI think it is peculiar that we are tightening restrictions at a time when things are improving, from cases, ICU figures, and hospitalizations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the T\u00e1naiste also said that he understood why the decisions were being made due to fears after last Christmas resulted in an upsurge of virus cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking on RT\u00c9\u2019s The Week in Politics, Michael McGrath, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, said the decisions made by the Cabinet were unanimous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added: \u201cThey were based on the public health advice that we have received from Nphet. We value and respect our public health experts who provide advice to Government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have had a good working relationship with Nphet over a long period of time and it is vitally important that that is maintained because I believe, in general, the public trusts our public health advisors and that relationship between Government and Nphet has been at the heart of our approach to managing this pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI fully support the decisions that we have made. We engaged with Nphet on Friday and they explained very clearly the rationale and the logic behind the recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is essentially precautionary in nature, this is a pre-emptive move by Government based on advice because there are a significant number of questions we cannot yet answer in relation to the Omicron variant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr McGrath said: \u201cWe expect to get some of those answers quite quickly and, if those answers are benign or favorable and some of the concerns in relation to Omicron do not materialize, then I anticipate that some of these restrictions can be removed quite quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNphet\u2019s modelling is an inexact science, they are making forecasts with a whole set of variables, many of whom are simply not known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is one factor in the overall set of considerations. It represents a valuable input. Of course, it is not perfect, no set of forecasting can be perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinn F\u00e9in TD Mairead Farrell told the program that the irony of Government complaints about leaks would not be lost on anyone, when it \u201chad been plagued by leaks\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said: \u201cThe reality is that this kind of mixed messaging is of benefit to no one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt adds to the concerns of the general public, of businesses that are trying to stay open, of people who are wondering if they are going to have a job next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is incredibly frustrating for the general public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving mixed messages now is not helpful to businesses or to those people who are going to work to try and earn a living.\u201d<\/p>\n

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