Junior Minister Peter Burke rejects criticism on not moving to Level 5

Junior government Minister Peter Burke is rejecting the suggestion put forward by some people that the government should have agreed with the NHPET recommendations to go to Level 5 restrictions.

Speaking on the Joe Finnegan show this morning, the Longford/Westmeath Deputy said that the government plan on Living with Covid-19 published in recent weeks is aimed at trying to live alongside the virus and maintain some normality.

He says the Level 5 restrictions are aimed at suppressing the virus for a short time but it's inevitable it would return after that.

The Fine Gael TD says it's in the hands of people now to try to avoid going into total lockdown by sticking to the Level 3 restrictions.