‘People are angry...These are significant events in the lives of children and families’

Disappointed children, steep financial hits and wasted days off are among the consequences of the cancellation of Confirmations at short notice.

One Meath parent said it had been “a nightmare with work”.

“We had arranged a mid week day off at short notice at peak time - everyone changing holidays and days off. Just to have to do it again in the future. It makes no sense at all.”

“ I think leaving them till September is very unsafe. If the modelling that is predicated is true, the country will be in another wave and kids will be in a variety of different secondary schools - God help the contact tracing if that happens.”

She said that at short notice they got outfits for everyone which wasn't easy.

“We got the confirmation girls outfit taken in to fit and now with one week’s notice it is cancelled. It was €30 to have it taken in and with no date, God knows if it will fit any of the kids .

“It makes no sense when families that planned the parties appear to be going ahead with them anyway,” she said.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín said his offices have been inundated with calls from families who have just learned that Confirmation, First Holy Communion and baptisms have been cancelled by the government.

“People are angry for a number of reasons. These are really significant events in the lives of children and families.

“Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For those rights to be cancelled in such a glib manner by the government is incredible.

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“These are also rite of passage events in the lives of children and families. The on, off, on, off of the what’s happened in the last year is creating deep frustration.

“The contradictory nature of the government’s restrictions significantly undermines the restrictions themselves. That 50 people can go to a wedding and party till midnight indoors and yet a dozen family members cannot gather outdoors for Confirmation, Communion or baptism is plainly illogical.

“It does not make sense. 50 people can go to Mass on a Sunday and yet 50 people cannot go to a confirmation, communion or a baptism at a different time in the same church is bonkers.

“All of this happening when there is less than 50 people in hospital with Covid in the whole country.

“Now we hear that the CMO did not give advice to shut down these important religious and family events. This is startling.

“The government must now detail who made the decision and on what basis. We are calling for the confusion to end and for the government to reverse the decision immediately,” he said.