I am a believer, and I think the Taoiseach is as well, in "Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí". He was talking about the effects of Covid-19 earlier. Will he please try to remove the masks of the young children, na daoine óga, in national and secondary schools?

I have a petition signed by 14,300 ordinary parents and grandparents, which I intend to hand to the Taoiseach, pleading to take away the masks from these people. Let the children smile. Let them see the expressions on the teacher's and each other's friends and siblings' faces. Nightclubs, bars and every place has them gone and we have them in schools. It is punitive. I would say it is a form of child abuse, actually, and it is time it was dispensed with.

The Taoiseach has been talking about the effects of Covid-19 and the impact on health. What impact is this going to have? Voluntary boards of management could end up being sued. I salute the boards of management in all the schools. I was a member of one myself. They do great work as do the teaching staff. It is time to get rid of this draconian measure, which is causing strife, ill health, stress and torment to children, parents, grandparents and communities.

To be fair to the Deputy, he has had a consistently negative view about restrictions designed to protect public health. The motivation behind-----

Freagair an cheist.

I am answering. The motivation behind the recommendation and the public health advice with regard to masks was an honourable one to try to protect children and teachers.

People have no masks on in nightclubs.

This was in consultation with all the stakeholders in education. There will be a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET-----

I know.

-----and there will be advice in relation to this.

Who is in charge?

Let the Taoiseach respond.

He is not in charge, obviously. He is delegating responsibility. In 30 years he never made a decision.

Tá mé ag bogadh ar aghaidh go dtí an Independent Group.