Three months since it was set up, what is going on with the behind-closed-doors Covid inquiry?
The Covid-19 evaluation team was appointed by the Government earlier this year, chaired by former academic Professor Anne Scott.
However, just one person has been appointed to the panel, supposed to comprise various experts in rating how Ireland fought the virus and protected the public, imposed lockdowns and took care of people in nursing homes.
A spokeswoman for the inquiry, which is held behind closed doors, said the evaluation team is in the process of finalising additional members of the panel.
'Their names and background information will be announced in the coming weeks,' she said.
It's understood it has been difficult to get people who were not involved in some way in the pandemic effort in Ireland, or who do not have a conflict of interest, to join the panel.
The only member so far appointed is David Heymann, a medical epidemiologist from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Majella Beattie of Care Champions, the advocacy group which represents many people bereaved during the pandemic, said it recently held its first meeting with Prof Scott. She said the group found her friendly and forthcoming and very transparent.
However, Ms Beattie stressed that the examination had no powers to compel documents, or anyone to give evidence, saying a statutory inquiry was needed – a demand repeated in a letter to Taoiseach Micheál Martin this week. The group was told the inquiry plans to carry out an initial survey of the public with the option to tick a box to say whether they want to be contacted to elaborate on their experience.
'They will be inviting submissions from people, organisations, family groups and others,' Ms Beattie said. 'They are very open to hearing from people.'
The group was reassured there would be safeguarding expertise among the panel.
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'I questioned what would happen when a health facility or government body does not give documents or refuses to participate.'
Ms Beattie said Care Champions will participate in the evaluation but believes the only way to get the truth is through an inquiry with full powers.
The evaluation has been allocated a budget of €1m for 2025, including staffing costs, and the team is based in a building at Parnell Square East in Dublin city.
The terms of reference cover January 2020 to February 28, 2022, and include the whole-of-government response and how we might do better if another health emergency arises.
It will look at how the health service delivered around hospitals and nursing homes, while also analysing the impact on society, education and businesses.
The hope is that the fact-finding exercise will shed light on the decisions made and whether the pandemic could have been managed better.
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