People all over the country are outraged by the Government's decision not to reopen the indoor hospitality sector and the insistence that people will have to be vaccinated before they can go into those settings. What is so different about pubs and small restaurants in the Twenty-six Counties compared with the rest of the world? They are open in the Six Counties. We seem to have more so-called scientists, professors, advisers and geniuses, yet we have no one with common sense.

Who does the Government think it is codding by meeting with representatives of the hospitality sector today when it had decided its fate yesterday? The Government wants to get a plan from them now because it has no plan for opening indoor hospitality. It never had one and it does not intend to allow them to open. George Lee said that it could be October before a decision is be made to open it up.

Thank you Deputy. The time is up.

Before long, all the country will land outside the gates of Leinster House and this great centre here.

Thank you Deputy. Can we hear the Taoiseach's response?

The Government has the people totally and absolutely blaggarded. It has led them up and down the garden path. Who does the Taoiseach think he is codding?

I have said repeatedly and consistently here that our objective is to protect people. Over the past number of months, we have successfully suppressed the virus in this country compared to many other countries.

Let us look at what is happening in Johannesburg, for example, because of the Delta variant. I am amazed at times. I recall being here in February and everyone was talking about maximum suppression of the virus and zero Covid, though not Deputy Danny Healy-Rae in fairness.

So you are blaming indoor hospitality for the whole thing. Is that what the Government is doing?

Without interruption.

What agenda has Tony Holohan? What has he got against-----

It amazes me that people quickly forget how devastating this virus can be on people's health. It amazes me that in a few months people quickly forget what happened in this country. We should never underestimate the potential of this virus, through various variants, to wreak havoc. We are in a better position because of vaccinations.

Thank you Taoiseach. The time is up.

We will come out of this but we will do it in a steady way, as we have done over recent months. We have reopened the country and we will continue to do so.

Many businesses will never again reopen. That is what the Government is ensuring.