Legislation for the current phase five lockdown includes a criminal offence for conducting public worship, according to an Independent TD for Clare who chairs the Oireachtas Covid-19 Committee.

Deputy Michael McNamara was speaking yesterday as the Dáil debated the extension of public health emergency legislation restricting individual rights from November 9th until June 9th, 2021.

He appealed directly to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to not go arresting priests:

“I do not know whether the Minister is aware of one measure in the motion but he must be because he signed it. Priests will be committing a criminal offence if they open the doors of their churches for mass. I know that lots of priests do not want to say mass and do not believe it is appropriate. That is their prerogative. I am not a mass goer, but I know how important it is in the community I represent for people to go to mass or to a church or mosque. The Government is denying them that. Is the Government is going to send gardaí after priests who decide to say mass? If the Government is thinking of that, I have one word to say, “Don’t”.”