No public grilling of Covid pandemic chiefs as inquiry invites public to share pandemic experience
Professor Anne Scott, who is chair of Ireland's Covid-19 Evaluation, was speaking as she launched a nationwide public consultation, inviting individuals, families, workers, carers, communities and businesses to share their experiences of the pandemic.
She said the evaluation will be non-adversarial and non-statutory and its purpose is to 'learn lessons from the pandemic by examining Ireland's response and impacts across the health and care system, wider society and the economy'.
This consultation is one element of a wider programme of work, insights gathered will inform the Evaluation's final report, which will be a comprehensive, evidence-based analysis to help Ireland prepare more effectively for future emergencies, she added..
'Today we are inviting members of the public to share their experiences of the pandemic. This is the first step in building a clear and honest picture of how Covid-19 was lived and felt by individuals, families and communities throughout Ireland. Our goal is to produce a thorough, independent assessment of Ireland's pandemic response. One that reflects real life as well as official records.
'While several reports and analyses have already been produced, there has been no single overview of the full impact of Covid-19 on Irish society. By reviewing existing documentation, drawing on international and national research, and engaging directly with key decision makers, we aim to understand what worked and what didn't. 'It's about learning — and making sure Ireland is better prepared for the future.'
Asked about how it will operate she said there will no opening hearings.
Some round table discussions will be streamed on its website.
These could include stakeholder organisations in discussion with the expert panel.
A special module on nursing homes is planned and it is expected a private session in a special venue will involve invitations to people who have been bereaved or suffered distress at a time when the pandemic was at its height and serious restrictions were in place to tell their story.
However, asked if questioning of key figures such as former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan or former HSE chief Paul Reid will be open to view she said these will all take place in private.
No person will be named in the final report and there will be no accountability.
She believed the non statutory nature of the inquiry will lead to more engagement.
She said she has already secured number of documents from Government departments and other public service agencies.
She can request cabinet memos and the meetings of cabinet committees.
She said the evaluation is supported by a multidisciplinary panel of national and international experts.
They include Professor David Heymann, an epidemiologist and public health experts from the UK.
The others are Dr Nat O'Connor, a lecturer and assistant professor of social policy in UCD and Prof Bert Gordijn, Director of the Institute of Ethics at Dublin City University and Dr Nora Strecker of UCD's School of Economics.
The link online for those who want to share their experience is covid19evaluation.ie/share-your-experience.
The consultation is open to all adults across the country.A separate consultation is planned for children.
She said it offers an opportunity for people to share how the pandemic response impacted them to inform future learnings.
Individuals can respond through an online survey or written submission. Stakeholder organisations are also invited to contribute formal submissions.
She added that the evaluation 'will build a detailed understanding of Ireland's response across the health and care sector, society and the economy.
It will draw on a wide range of inputs, including requested documentation, research, and lived experience, to produce a final report within 12-18 months.
The consultation is now open and will run until 1 July. Individuals and organisations can participate at covid19evaluation.ie/share-your-experience.
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