Announcement On Midlands Lockdown Will Be Made This Evening

Thursday, 20 August 2020 13:49

The Health Minister confirmed the timeline in a meeting with Offaly County Council earlier.

An annoucement will be made on whether Laois, Offaly and Kildare can exit localised restrictions this evening.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confimed the timeline during a meeting with representatives from Offaly county council this morning.

That discussion lasted for over an hour, with Minister Donnelly also acknowledging that he will treat each county individually when making a decision.

Cathaoirleach and independent councillor John Carroll says it was an productive conference call:

Statement from Offaly County Council:

A delegation from Offaly County Council met with the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly T.D. this morning. The delegation comprised of Cllr John Carroll, Cathaoirleach Offaly County Council, and the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Cathaoirleach of Edenderry, Birr and Tullamore Municipal District; Cllr John Foley, Cllr Liam Quinn, Cllr John Leahy, Cllr Peter Ormond, Cllr Danny Owens, and Cllr Tony McCormack. The Chief Executive, Anna Marie Delaney also attended the meeting.

The meeting was a very productive one, with the Minister opening the meeting by thanking all the Members for attending. Each Member in turn outlined their concerns and those of their fellow members in relation to the restrictions that were implemented in Offaly on Friday 7th August 2020. The Minister listened attentively to all of the concerns expressed, and thanked the Members for their feedback on the restrictions and their effects on the citizens of Offaly.

He acknowledged the difficulties in imposing these restrictions but stated that the urgency was necessary in the control of Covid-19. He listened and responded to the Members questions where possible and agreed that his Department would revert with responses to all questions raised. He committed to circulating the most recent figures available for the county from the National Public Health Emergency Team immediately.

He advised that he had issued instructions that the three counties, Offaly, Laois and Kildare would be considered separately to determine when the restrictions would be lifted. He advised that he would seek to have the restrictions lifted as soon as practicable having regard to the public health measures necessary.

He advised that his Department would be communicating with the Elected Members in relation to any future issues.

In his closing statement the Minister thanked the people of Offaly for their forbearance during the last two weeks, he noted that it was only through the efforts of all the citizens pulling together that this virus would be beaten.

He noted that through their efforts they had saved lives across the county of Offaly over the past two weeks.