Clare’s four TDs have been accused of being “deafeningly quiet” surrounding the coronavirus by one West Clare representative.
Speaking at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) described the information from the HSE on mass gathering as “quite weak”. Over the weekend, he called on the local authority to hold a meeting of its emergency committee to focus on ways to deal with the possible spread of Covid-19 in the county.
“Our existing TDs have been deafeningly quiet,” the Kilrush representative noted. He was frustrated by the lack of financial supports in place to support those in self-isolation and unable to work and also those that are receiving medical treatment. “Practically the whole family in quarantine, they still have bills to pay. Employers are lost as to what to do”.
He advised the meeting that he was aware a meeting of trade unions was due to take place. “There is a huge cost associated with this. I want to make sure our TDs bring this forward. There is also going to be an effect on when exams can take place. I haven’t heard our TDs on what is being planned”.
Cathal Crowe’s (FF) suggestion that local authority staff be used as administrative support in the contact tracing of patients was praised by Cllr Lynch.
