25 Lún 2020, 14:42
The Special Committee on Covid-19 Response will hear from the Health Minister, HSE Chief Executive and the Acting Chief Medical Officer on the State’s response to the spike in coronavirus cases, when it meets in Leinster House tomorrow, Wednesday, 26 August.
The Committee is holding three sessions throughout the day in the Seanad Chamber.
- HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid will appear before the Committee at 10am.
- Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn and Chair of National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET’s) Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, Professor Philip Nolan will appear before the Committee at 12.30pm.
- Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly will appear before the Committee at 3pm.
Speaking before the meeting, Committee Chairman Michael McNamara TD said: “Getting an update on the HSE test and trace system is one of the areas the Committee will be focusing on tomorrow when we hear from Paul Reid. We will be examining the localised lockdown of Laois and Offaly and the ongoing lockdown of Kildare and the medical and scientific basis for it, when we hear from Dr Ronan Glynn and Professor Philip Nolan.
“The Committee welcomes the appearance of the Minister for Health before it. This will enable the Committee to explore the State’s overall strategic objectives, as well as the general response to the recent increase in detected cases and the plans in place for patients and our health service, as we move into Autumn and Winter, with seasonal flu expected to put additional pressure on the system.
“The reopening of schools is vitally important and the Committee intends to meet on this matter next Wednesday and has extended an invitation to the Minister for Education.”
Witnesses will appear before the Committee by video link from Committee Room 2.
Watch the Committee live here.