23 March 2020
New powers have been granted to the Irish authorities to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
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"The new laws will allow the State to shut down mass gatherings and to potentially order groups of people in certain areas to stay in their homes.
There are regulations too that would allow for the detention of a person, on foot of a medical recommendation, if they refuse to self-isolate.
Minister for Health Simon Harris proposed that the new powers of detention contained in the Bill remain in place until 9 November.
He said the powers would only be used in the public interest to keep people well, adding that picking a date was an arbitrary process and it was prudent to pick November.
The Minister also said that the legislation would empower authorities to shut down house parties."
Coronavirus legal response: Dáil passes emergency Covid-19 legislation (RTÉ, link)
And: COVID-19 emergency legislation: everything you need to know. (Irish Council for Civil Liberties, link)
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