The State’s evaluation of how it handled the Covid-19 pandemic is due to conclude its work before the end of the year, Cabinet has been told.
A spokesman for Micheál Martin confirmed the Taoiseach had met the evaluation panel this week for an in-depth discussion of his role during the pandemic, when he led the Government during successive waves of infection.
At their regular post-Cabinet briefing for journalists, Government spokesmen confirmed that Martin had updated Cabinet on the panel’s work.
The panel is examining pandemic responses across hospitals, the community and nursing homes, along with wider economic and societal impacts.
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The Government has said it aims to provide a “factual account of the pandemic from January 2020 to February 2022 to identify lessons and guide future decisions”.
Other countries have already completed inquires into the pandemic, which have included public testimony from decision makers as well as public disclosure of sensitive government documents and correspondence between those steering the response.
The Irish evaluation panel lacks statutory powers to compel the release of materials or the attendance of witnesses, although it may request sensitive or secret documents. Its chair has said it will be non-confrontational in its approach.
The spokesmen said the planned completion of the review this year should pave the way for the publication of a report in early 2027. The panel, chaired by Prof Anne Scott, has conducted three public consultations and will culminate in a comprehensive report that will prioritise key guidelines.
A progress update will be published later this week.
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A spokesman for the Taoiseach said he had met with the evaluation panel on Monday for an “in-depth bilateral question-and-answer format discussion about the Covid-19 pandemic response in Ireland”.
“The discussion focused on the Government’s response to the pandemic from the period of June 2020-February 2022, a time in which the Taoiseach was in office that also falls within the evaluation’s terms of reference. The discussion also encompassed reflections for future events of this scale.”
Members of the Evaluation Panel in attendance were panel chair Scott, along with Prof David Heymann, Dr Nat O’Connor, Dr Nora Strecker, Prof Bert Gordijn and expert to the panel, Prof Sara Burke.
A spokesman for Tánaiste Simon Harris said: “The Tánaiste will be engaging with the independent Covid-19 evaluation panel.”
