Bríd Smith Questions Mandatory Hotel Quarantine for UK Arrivals

Bríd Smith asked whether the minister would envisage mandatory hotel quarantine for people arriving from the UK, given that the highest rate of Omicron is there. She said she supports the amendment but questioned whether it would be necessary or applicable if such quarantine were introduced, and highlighted that many terminations occur because women are forced to travel abroad.

Question on mandatory hotel quarantine

Bríd Smith directly asked whether the minister would ever envisage mandatory hotel quarantine for people coming from the UK, citing the high rate of Omicron there and seeking to understand the government’s thinking.

Support for the amendment but concern over relevance

She stated her support for the amendment under discussion but queried its practical relevance if a mandatory hotel quarantine regime for UK arrivals were to be implemented.

Abortion access and travel abroad

Bríd Smith argued that the vast majority of terminations are carried out by women who are forced to go abroad, using that point to illustrate a broader lack of abortion services in the country.

Request for clarification from the minister

She repeatedly pressed the minister for clarification, asking whether mandatory hotel quarantine for arrivals from the country with the highest Omicron rate would make the amendment redundant or whether it would remain relevant.