Award-winning chef Graham Herterich on his life in food
Award-winning chef Graham Herterich on his life in food

Sarah Gill

Real Weddings: Heidy and Bryan’s beautiful country house wedding in Co Wexford
Real Weddings: Heidy and Bryan’s beautiful country house wedding in Co Wexford

Shayna Sappington

Page Turners: ‘The Inheritance’ author Cauvery Madhavan
Page Turners: ‘The Inheritance’ author Cauvery Madhavan

Sarah Gill

My Life in Culture: Artist Michele Hetherington
My Life in Culture: Artist Michele Hetherington

Sarah Finnan

I’m single and I’m thinking about kids, what are my options?
I’m single and I’m thinking about kids, what are my options?

Lauren Heskin

5 golden rules of home décor from an Irish interior designer
5 golden rules of home décor from an Irish interior designer

IMAGE

Ask the Doctor: ‘What does the procedure to rectify an undescended testicle involve?’
Ask the Doctor: ‘What does the procedure to rectify an undescended testicle involve?’

Sarah Gill

Small Things Like These: A necessary reminder of Ireland’s shameful past 
Small Things Like These: A necessary reminder of Ireland’s shameful past 

Sarah Finnan

House Tour: A former artist’s studio turned into a Clontarf home
House Tour: A former artist’s studio turned into a Clontarf home

Megan Burns

If I knew then what I know now: Busting business myths with Debbie Byrne, MD of An Post
If I knew then what I know now: Busting business myths with Debbie Byrne, MD...

Leonie Corcoran

Image / Editorial

‘We are in this together’: Taoiseach says nation can and will fight COVID-19


By Jennifer McShane
17th Mar 2020
‘We are in this together’: Taoiseach says nation can and will fight COVID-19

In a measured and emphatic St Patrick’s Day address to the nation, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Irish people that the fight against Covid-19 was just beginning, but that as a nation, “we will get through it”


In a televised address, he said that the country is making big demands of healthcare staff and he wanted people to know why these actions were being taken.

He said we are in a pandemic the likes of which no one has seen before, and that there will be 15,000 cases by the end of the month and continue to rise in the weeks ahead.

He said sadly some people will die but the virus can be slowed in its tracks.

More will be required of Irish people in the coming weeks to halt the spread of the virus.

“We are watching what is happening around the world and we will learn from the experience of other countries.”

He said he knows that the nation is anxious to know when the emergency when it will be over, but that as yet, they just don’t know.

“Many of you want to know when this will be over, the truth is we do not know yet”

He said, “in short, we are asking people to come together as a nation by staying apart from each other.”

Cocooning 

He revealed the Government will ask the elderly to stay at home for a number of weeks “cocooning” but said they wouldn’t be alone and the most precious in society will be saved as a result.

“Not all superheroes wear capes, some wear scrubs and gowns”

Mr Varadkar urged the population to phone their neighbours and make sure “those who are living alone are not left alone.

“Fear is a virus in itself”

He urged people to limit their social media use and to not fall for misinformation.

“Fear is a virus in itself,” he said. “Constantly scrolling on your phone or obsessing with the latest developments isn’t good for anyone.”

“I send a message of friendship and hope from Ireland to everyone around the world.”

He reassured the public that “when we are through the worst, we will get people back to work and businesses open again.”

“We will get through this, we will prevail.”

“Tonight on our national holiday, I want to send a message around the world: we are in this together.”

Watch the full address below: