Long odds on bookies’ inspections

ONLY four out of 814 bookies across Ireland have faced inspections since the beginning of the pandemic, it has been revealed.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said the premises that had been checked by the Health and Safety Authority were 100% compliant.

But Sinn Fein claimed the lack of inspections shows the Government is not protecting workers’ health.

The party’s health spokesman David Cullinane said: “Time and time again since the onset of the pandemic we have urged the Government to protect workers’ health by increasing the number of inspectors.

“We might as well have been talking to the wall.

“Government inaction on several fronts left the country completely exposed to a second wave and workers and families are paying the price.”