A spokesperson stated on Wednesday night that the governmental investigation into the response to the Covid-19 pandemic will be entirely optional, with no enforcement powers, and will involve the Civil Service. The Cabinet, during its session, greenlighted Prof Anne Scott’s nomination as Chair and set the guidelines for the inquiry.
The government spokesperson communicated at the regular post-Cabinet briefing that the methodology of the evaluation panel, including Prof Scott, would be autonomous. Despite several confirmations, the panel is not a statutory inquiry, possesses no legal power, and relies on voluntary participation.
Although the likelihood of open hearings was hinted at, the spokesperson mentioned their organisation would be up to the panel. He did not comment on the possibility of televised hearings, akin to what transpired in the UK, or if exchanges between top-ranking politicians and officials would be used as evidence.
Both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have committed to completely cooperating with the process. The investigation or ‘assessment’, that has been promised since before the end of the pandemic, had multiple delays in its creation, due to concerns from politicians and officials that it may become a blame game and a public airing of policy errors.
According to the spokesperson, the main purpose of the evaluation is to prepare the state for future pandemics. He anticipates the primary task would be operational within a few weeks.
The spokesperson also confirmed that the Civil Service would provide the secretariat for the evaluation, under the Department of the Taoiseach. He dismissed the thought of the Civil Service grading its own performance.
Chair Prof Anne Scott, with an impressive background as a nurse and academic head in prominent roles in UK and Irish universities is the nominated front-runner of the panel. Her recent role was vice-president for equality and diversity in Galway University.
In an announcement released Wednesday evening, the Government advised that the appraisal would bolster decision-making and clarity, help with the assessment and equilibrium of potential trade-offs, considering the need for quickness and nimbleness, and establish a framework to maintain democratic processes and civil liberties in the face of immediate large-scale threats.
The scope of study implies it ought to “extrapolate teachings, including successful strategies” and assess the behaviour of the health system, government decision-making, and their consequences on the public.
One particular component of the study will focus on the experiences of long-term care establishments, such as nursing homes.
Professor Scott received a directive to deliver her study to the Taoiseach within a span of 12-18 months. However, the appraisal might also furnish preliminary reports on distinct modules.