The limited scope of the covid evaluation was laid bare during a first briefing on how it will operate, with those overseeing it admitting they can only "hope" the Government will act on recommendations made.
The briefing, which also saw the launch of a public consultation, outlined how the process is expected to last around 18 months. Panel chair Anne Scott cautioned the panel has already received “voluminous” amounts of files.
A key worry for many families who lost relatives during the pandemic is witnesses cannot be compelled to attend. Prof Scott argued this approach creates “a more open, more flexible dynamic” and means nobody needs legal representation.
However, it means people from the Government, healthcare, or nursing homes could chose not to attend.
When asked about this, Prof Scott said only the panel could “potentially or partly” note a refusal in its report. There could be recommendations for further work.
Prof Scott described the report as “an actionable report” with practical recommendations.
However, she said: “We would expect that to be published and actioned by the Taoiseach.
Beyond that, I really can’t comment in terms of what the Government at the time will do with the recommendations
"But we would hope they will be actioned," she said.
'Meaningful Christmas'
It also appears the report may not judge whether key decision points were categorically right or wrong— including the 2020 "meaningful Christmas".
It is expected instead to focus on how decisions were made and learning how to deal with future pandemics.
Names will not be used in the report, although it is possible people may be directly quoted if they give permission.
This means comments from people such as Micheál Martin, Leo Varadkar, or Dr Tony Holohan may not be attributed in the document. It is understood transcripts of interviews will not be available.
Members of the public, including bereaved families, will be offered a safe space in a private forum to speak with the panel. It is not clear whether families can request to speak in public.
The evaluation team has been gathering data from government agencies and departments. These documents will not be made public.
There will be occasional livestreams of roundtable discussions to share updates, with the first one set for June. These will not include interviews, and it is not yet known who will take part in this sole public-facing part of the process.
The public has been invited to share their experiences on the pandemic between now and July.
People can do this online at the Covid-19 Evaluation website, or they can write to the panel or speak on the telephone. It is open to adults over the age of 18. It is understood a way for teenagers aged 15 to 18 to respond will be developed.
The panel also comprises of Prof David Heymann, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Dr Nat O’ Connor and Dr Nora Strecker from University College Dublin; as well as Prof Bert Gordijn, Dublin City University.
Other experts from Ireland and abroad are supporting the panel. Secretariat support is given by civil servants seconded to the team.
Access the public consultation at www.covid19evaluation.ie
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