Coalition has 'made of mess' of pandemic communications - Mayo TD

Mayo TD Michael Ring has expressed his concerns that the government had lost the trust of the public in its handling of the pandemic.

He told the Sunday Independent the coalition has "made a mess" of communications in recent weeks.

He elaborated: "You've got the Taoiseach going on the TV at night-time, the Tánaiste on the radio in the morning and Eamon Ryan out on the lunchtime news and they've all got different messages.

"It is a consequence of the coalition, one trying to outstep the other - and that's the problem.

"They'd better sit down and start putting some kind of a plan together."

Ring also reiterated his frustration with the 5km travel rule, describing it as having a disproportionate impact on rural Ireland.

"People have had enough, they are depressed," he said.

"It's not reasonable and never was. I fought the battle in the last cabinet and I won it. I am not even sure if the 5km rule is constitutional.

"At least when people could move in their counties it gave them a lot of freedom," he added.