Cabinet signs off on 'evaluation' of Covid-19 response

An examination of the State's response to the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to begin its work in the coming weeks, after the cabinet signed off on its terms of reference.

The Government agreed to what it is describing as an "evaluation" rather than an inquiry.

It will not have statutory powers to compel witnesses or evidence.

It will consider the health service response, including hospitals, the community response and the response in nursing homes.

It will also look at the wider economic and societal response and the impact of the pandemic on education and business.

The Government appointed Professor Anne Scott - an academic with clinical experience who has expertise in the areas of philosophy and ethics - as the independent chair of the evaluation.

A multi-disciplinary panel with independent expertise will be appointed shortly.

Their first task will be to invite submissions and a public consultation to hear some of the lived experiences of society during the pandemic.

A Government spokesperson said it will be up and running and begin its work "in a matter of weeks".

He said Government departments have done some preparatory work to make "millions of documents" available.

Taoiseach Simon Harris had committed to setting up an inquiry before a general election.

However, the Government had blamed difficulties in identifying a suitable chairperson for the delay.

On his way into this morning's meeting of the Cabinet, Mr Harris said that because the pandemic had such serious and devastating impacts for people - with political decisions being made in real time - what he called the "Covid-19 evaluation" will be a very important process.

Mr Harris said a number of issues need to be examined, including what happened at nursing homes.