Health Committee to discuss impact of Covid-19 emergency powers on fundamental rights and mental health

The meeting will take place from the Seanad Chamber at 11.30am.
Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) Executive Director Liam Herrick; ICCL Senior Research and Policy Officer Doireann Ansbro; Mental Health Reform (MHR) Chief Executive Officer Fiona Coyle and MHR Policy and Research Advisor Audry Deane are scheduled to appear before the Committee virtually for the discussion.
Speaking before the meeting, Cathaoirleach of the Committee Seán Crowe TD: said: “Together we have witnessed and experienced unprecedented change as a result of the emergency powers imposed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Social contact and interaction through activities like sport or music were taken away in an instant. School closures, shutdowns of retail, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers, travel restrictions and limits on gatherings including attendance at weddings and funerals are just some of the extraordinary changes experienced, under the various levels of lockdowns imposed.
“As restrictions are slowly eased, the Committee welcomes this timely examination of how Covid-19 emergency powers have impacted and continue to impact on both fundamental rights and mental health wellbeing. The discussion will also shine a spotlight on how the pandemic response has impacted mental health services including Mental Health Tribunals.”
View the meeting live.     
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.