Image via Twitter/@MichealMartinTDThe Tánaiste has criticisied the “mixed messages” around the plans.
Micheál Martin has denied he's at odds with Leo Varadkar over the publication of the travel green list.
Yesterday the Tánaiste Varadkar said there shouldn't be a list if the government advice is to remain at home.
Yet that's exactly what the cabinet agreed in publishing the 15 countries and territories where people can return from without having to restrict movements.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the controversy around the green list needs to be put in context.
''There's been a lot of hype about the travel, there's been a lot of concern about it and I've acknowledged the concern, but we need to keep it in perspective'', he said.
''A 91% drop in travel in and out of Dublin Airport in the first 12 days of July between this year and last year.
''So then the issue as I said yesterday is, how do we live with Covid over the next 12 to 15 months in the absence of a vaccine''.
Ahead of a Cabinet meeting discussing the green list yesterday, Mr Varadkar issued a statement criticising “mixed messages” around the Government’s plans to ease travel restrictions.
The Tánaiste’s spokesperson said Mr Varadkar “believes strongly that it’s wrong to send out mixed messages about international travel”.
“The Tanaiste believes there should be a Green List as was previously agreed by Government. But if the travel advice for countries on the Green List isn’t different to advice for other countries, then we would be better off not having a green list at all,” he added.
Mr Varadkar’s intervention prompted Labour leader Alan Kelly to tell Micheál Martin in the Dáil: “I’m beginning to wonder who’s the Taoiseach," the Irish Independent reported.
