Co. Wexford TD Johnny Mythen has called on the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport to review the checks that are supposedly in place at Irish ports and airports. The Sinn Fein TD submitted an official parliamentary question to Minister Ross on Friday, asking for clarification on what restrictions or precautions, if any, are currently in place at Irish entry points to reduce the spread of COVID19.

“At a time like this, it is plainly obvious that our ports and airports should only be used for essential supplies & personnel, necessary freight, and the repatriation of Irish citizens who need to return home. However, I am alarmed by reports from constituents about the increased traffic through Rosslare Europort over the last number of days and, while the Taoiseach stated in a press conference on Friday evening that this traffic was mainly Irish people returning home and that the situation was being watched closely, I fear this may not be an accurate view of what is going on.”

“While I am aware of the current strains on our testing centres, I do believe there are other measures that could be put in place at our ports and airports, as seen in other countries, such as temperature checks and travel questionnaires. At the very least, this would allow us to isolate or quarantine any potential cases. I have watched our COVID19 cases remain one of the lowest in the country and as a Wexford man, I have never been prouder. But after all our sacrifices, it is a sheer slap in the face to allow holidaymakers with camper vans and caravans into our local communities, many of whom may have traveled from countries like the UK or France, who have much higher rates of COVID19 then we currently have.”

Deputy Mythen has also re-iterated his previous assurance that the Sunny South East looks forward to welcoming all holiday-makers, both foreign and domestic, again in the future when this pandemic is over and has welcomed the €15 million support announced for Rosslare Europort this week, to allow for vital European and UK travel routes to remain open.