Page 6 - Irish Examiner USA

newsexaminer
6

2020 Teachers’ Union Martin: ‘Danger And Challenge’ Of

2nd, Reports Some Schools Second Lockdown ‘Is Always There’

September Failing To Implement

| Social Distancing
EXAMINER

IRISH

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has warned the State is in a “fluid”
situation as the Government tries to avoid another lockdown.
Mr Martin said that as the number of Covid-19 cases rises, the
National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is “constant-
ly wary” of moving closer to further restrictions.
It comes after Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said that
the country is at a “tipping point”.
Mr Martin said that while efforts are made to try and avoid a
second lockdown, he warned that the “danger and challenge is
always there”.
Speaking in Limerick, Mr Martin added: “In fairness, the situa-
tion in relation to NPHET (National Public Health Emergency
ome schools have failed to Thousands of children class sizes in line with
implement Covid-19 social returned to school this week European counterparts. Team) – they’ve given us advice which we’ve adopted and we’ve
Sdistancing measures ahead for the first time since the “Our members are rightly implemented, and obviously the way the numbers are going,
of pupils returning to the class- pandemic led to schools shut- angry and anxious that their NPHET are constantly wary of that prospect.
rooms this week, an Oireachtas ting their doors in March. health and well-being and “The reason we adopted the measures last week was to make
committeehasheard. Representatives of the their students’ health and sure we don’t get to that situation, but it’s fluid.
Teachers’ Union of Ireland teachers’ unions appeared well-being and safety is com- “The big story this week is the reopening of our schools. A mil-
(TUI) general secretary before the special committee promised by the larger class lion people, between students and teachers, coming back into our
Michael Gillespie said that the on Wednesday to discuss the sizes in overcrowded class- schools.
union had received reports of preparations made ahead of rooms in the country.” “We have been visiting schools different days to see the
some schools not satisfying the reopening and how they Into general secretary John extraordinary work of teachers, SNAs and school management.
public health requirements. were coping with new meas- Boyle said classrooms had “It’s really very good stuff to see the contribution that they
Mr Gillespie told the ures. been reconfigured and have made to enable children to return to our schools.”
Special Committee on Covid- The committee was estab- stripped of extraneous furni- Meanwhile, the Taoiseach described his conversation with
19 Response that its teachers lished to consider and take ture, new sanitation stations President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen as
“will not accept any depar- evidence on the State’s had been installed, one-way “warm”.
ture from the public health response to the pandemic. systems mapped and signage The pair focused on the successor to Phil Hogan, he added.
guidance, including the The Irish National placed everywhere. “I’ve met Ursula von der Leyen, particularly in the context of
absolute necessity to main- Teachers’ Organisation (Into) But he said that a review councils, (she’s) a very straightforward person,” he added.
tain a physical distance of no president Mary Magner said needed to be undertaken by “I think she appreciated the fact that at no stage did I seek at
less than one meter, prefer- teachers were angry that their the end of September to how any time to influence her in terms of any deliberations in relation
ably two metres, in our safety and that of their pupils schools were coping. to this matter, or in fact there was no contact prior to yesterday’s
schools. was being “compromised” “Just because schools are decisions.”
“Unfortunately, we have due to overcrowding in class- open, does not mean that Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has said his intention is to continue
had reports in recent days of rooms. there is nothing further to be leading the Fine Gael party.
schools that have not yet put She told the committee it done,” he said. Asked if he would like the role of an EU commissioner, Mr
the necessary measures in was “practically impossible” “It is imperative that a Varadkar said: “My intention is to continue to lead my party, to
place. We reiterate again that for the primary sector to review be undertaken, by the work hard in my job as Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise,
the TUI will not permit non- adhere to public health meas- end of September, to assess Trade and Employment, and to become Taoiseach again in 2022.”
compliance on this key ures due to the issue and the reopening of schools and He went on to describe Mr Hogan as “a good colleague and
issue.” called on the Government to identify improvements which very good friend”.
Mr Gillespie said the entire reduce class sizes immediate- may be necessary.” “He is somebody who I reappointed as head of government, as
school community must ly. He said this review must commissioner because he did such a good job in his previous
observe and respect public “This pandemic has cer- be cross-governmental and role,” Mr Varadkar added.
health advice and “do every- tainly highlighted, and mem- include input from HSA, “But the situation developed as it did. He was given an oppor-
thing possible to minimize bers are quite angry in rela- HSE, the Inspectorate and tunity to explain his whereabouts and his movements within
the spread of Covid-19”. tion to, the large classes we stakeholders. Ireland and to confirm that he had been following the public
He added that a policy was have to deal with,” she said. “Unless we are vigilant health guidelines and unfortunately over a period of days it tran-
needed to prevent students “It was practically impossi- and in a position to adapt spired that he had not.
from wearing soft face cover- ble to realize social distancing quickly to changing circum- “Ultimately this was a decision that was made by President von
ings that may have slogans or in some schools when there stances, schools may risk a der Leyen, not one by the Irish Government.
logos that may be offensive in wasn’t adequate space. There second period of enforced “I think it was the right decision in the end but of course lots
a school community. is an immediate call to reduce closure,” he said. C of regrets.” C