A Waterford TD says the people of Ireland have rallied and will not be found wanting.
Mary Butler was speaking as the Dáil sat to pass emergency legislation to deal with the outbreak of COVID-19.
She described the coronavirus emergency as the "most dangerous and life-altering event Ireland has faced in any of our lifetimes".
However, the Fianna Fail TD believes all is not bleak:
"One only has to look at the front-line healthcare workers up and down the country to find hope.
"Homecare workers and carers are delivering care in the community to our most vulnerable.
"Our people have rallied and will not be found wanting.
"We hear of doctors and nurses coming out of retirement and returning from across the globe to fight this virus. We have seen innovations such as 3-D printing companies pivoting to make respirator valves. We have seen many Irish companies change their business models to create products such as face masks and hand sanitisers.
Deputy Butler again encouraged people to comply with the HSE guidelines
"South Korea has shown how this virus can be slowed - social distancing, testing and contact tracing.
"The Irish people must play their part in this. We must all follow the HSE guidelines - washing one's hands, coughing and sneezing etiquette and social distancing. The value of social distancing will become apparent as the weeks go on if people comply with the guidelines. We are already seeing the benefit with contact numbers significantly reduced.
