The outright false history spun by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar today is astounding: "[Opening up for Christmas] was the advice given to the Government by NPHET. I am not sure we would take that advice if that advice was to be given again, because that turned out to be too quick."

"Mr Varadkar said the Government always listens to NPHET's advice".

If we refuse to recognize a mistake, in running roughshod over expert advice, we are doomed to repeat it. This lockdown has to be the last lockdown. https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2021/0115/1190019-coronavirus-ireland/

NPHET's advice on 26 November said: "the risks associated with socialisation in [hospitality] remain too high at current infection levels, particularly in the context of the other forms of socialisation and interaction between people, families and across generations."

"The NPHET therefore recommends that the hospitality sector remain closed (with the exception of take-away and delivery) over the eight-week period."

We are RIGHT NOW repeating the same mistakes and the same haste to reopen: Exploiting SEN as a wedge to re-open schools; the refusal to consider non-traditional exam alternatives; and the immense range of exemptions to lockdown.

This lockdown as less effective than Oct-Nov.

"If we were to pursue a zero Covid policy in Ireland, you would need to close the border between North & South... Vaccinating those groups that are most at risk might reduce your cases by 20%, but it might also reduce deaths & hospitalisations by 60-80%". https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/ireland-lockdown-leo-varadkar-dr-23323601

Not pursuing zero-Covid and continuing to "Live with the Virus", waiting for vaccination whilst vulnerable people shelter in place sounds worryingly like yet another watered-down version of herd immunity.

Be very worried. https://twitter.com/dgurdasani1/status/1349810736390955008?s=20

80% of the population will be vaccinated by the end of September, but vaccination will have very little impact on THIS peak of Covid-19. Vaccination will limit the next wave, but we NOW have the highest rate of infection at any time during the pandemic. https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/ireland-can-be-among-best-in-world-for-covid-19-vaccinations-minister-says-1064603.html

55,000 Leaving Certificate pupils and 59,000 Junior Certificate students last year, and the same this year, will be voting in the next general election.

Almost a quarter of a million voters in the next election whose education is being exploited for party political image.

"The trick is won by the highest card of the suit led, unless a trump is played, in which case the highest trump wins." (Rules of the game of whist)