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Covid inquiry: Taoiseach doesn't see key decision-makers being grilled in witness box

Details of what form the inquiry will take will be ready in a couple of weeks, says Micheál Martin.

DETAILS OF WHAT form the Government’s inquiry will take into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic will be released in the coming weeks, the Taoiseach has confirmed. 

Micheál Martin has said he does not envisage key players and decision-makers such as the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan or HSE boss Paul Reid being grilled in a witness box in Dublin Castle, as has been the format for some past inquiries and tribunals.

“I don’t see it in that light, as I’ve said consistently, because when a crisis, a once in 100 year event happens, like a pandemic, mistakes will get made.

“The important thing is to learn from them and particularly in relation to public servants because they’re in the lions den from the beginning, they’re in the kitchen very much from the beginning. The heat is on, in terms of 24 hour reactions and so forth, and dealing with a crisis of this kind.

“So I don’t want people in the future looking over their shoulders, as we deal with another crisis, saying ‘there’s an inquiry behind my back and I’ve got to watch my Ps and Qs here’ or make decisions based on what people might ask me later. You have to make a right call at the time based on your judgment, and based on the advices that you receive,” said Martin.

The Taoiseach said his officials have been working on detailed proposals for the inquiry into the Government’s handling of the pandemic, and has been working in conjunction with the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. 

He said a “comprehensive evaluation of how we dealt with Covid-19 in all aspects” is needed, and that it should cover government administration, public health and other areas. 

More details would be revealed in the “coming weeks”, he added.

“It is important and we are determined to do it. Because we need to learn any lessons that have to be learned and also with a view to ensuring that into the future, if a future pandemic was to arise or another crisis, that we will learn those lessons and respond more effectively,” said the Taoiseach. 

Citing a recent study in The Lancet, the Taoiseach said that overall Ireland did well in respect of the level of excess deaths relative to other countries.

“But of course, it still took a terrible toll on our people, and we do need to have that evaluation of how we did,” he added.

While he would not give a timeline for when such an inquiry would be concluded, he said people would want it completed within a “reasonable timeframe”.

The Taoiseach told The Journal last September that he would like to see the inquiry up and running in the “earlier part” of 2022.

The Covid National Day of Remembrance and Reflection Ceremony will take place in the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin today.

The ceremony will remember all those who died during the pandemic and pay tribute to everyone who has contributed to how we have faced and are facing the challenges.

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18 Comments
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    Mute Big Beats
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    Nov 25th 2023, 4:16 PM

    People are terrified to upset the landlords that they won’t apply for credit for fear of non-tax complient landlords kicking them out.

    151
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    Mute Paddy C
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    Nov 25th 2023, 4:21 PM

    Have to find a house to rent that might be somehow affordable first,like a needle in a haystack,still though government keep increasing population with nowhere for people to live, homelessness higher than ever at the moment, brilliant

    83
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    Mute Kevin Kerr
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    Nov 25th 2023, 4:38 PM

    @Paddy C: There are an estimated 400k existing renters that are eligible for this tax credit.

    23
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    Mute Paddy C
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    Nov 25th 2023, 6:17 PM

    @SYaxJ2Ts: marvellous

    7
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    Mute BigEd
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    Nov 25th 2023, 3:53 PM

    If you do not pay tax you will not get it…. Most of the renters are on the doll or pay little to no tax… Or landlord is not simply registered and they are victims of the system..you pick one….

    Ps: i got the full credit

    53
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    Mute Paul Somers
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    Nov 25th 2023, 5:20 PM

    @BigEd: I rent, paye, actually I lease a room in a house share, so can we apply for this on the basis of leasing a room as opposed to renting

    10
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    Mute Caoimín Ó Muircheartaigh
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    Nov 25th 2023, 4:03 PM

    No surprise to see FFG support FFG. There was never anything between these parties and Golfgate showed us the irrelevance of political screamers in a fancy building in Kildare Street. At least the rioters showed us the cosy narrative of Martin and his ilk, who thought their pontificating was, and remains, their own illusion. McEnteen wants to bring in tougher minimum sentences which will do little to zero on the real issues which is the haves looking down their noses on the rest of Ireland, thinking a woke administration will keep the sheep at bay. Now we all know from Martin’s support for a hand-me-down politician from Mearh that we live in a left dictatorship where “democracy” is the weapon of choice. Control the narrative and you control the sheep. Goebbels learnt it easily enough.

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    Mute Jack Dermody
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    Nov 25th 2023, 10:08 PM

    @Caoimín Ó Muircheartaigh: Nice rant. You said nothing about the topic..

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    Mute Áine G
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    Nov 25th 2023, 5:38 PM

    I can’t claim it as my landlord hasn’t registered with the RTB. Nothing I can do.

    42
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    Mute Paul
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    Nov 25th 2023, 5:46 PM

    @Áine G: report your landlord to the RTB and stop whining

    26
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Nov 25th 2023, 6:15 PM

    @Paul:
    And then the landlord decides to sell……

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    Mute Lydia Mcloughlin
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    Nov 25th 2023, 7:50 PM

    @P.J. Nolan: I hear though it’ll be years before it can gets to be sold! Three years a cpl have been living at a friends house down the country, not paid rent since 2019. Can’t evict them to sell the house as they have nowhere to go, too expensive!

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Nov 25th 2023, 9:25 PM

    @Lydia Mcloughlin:
    I work in the sector.
    3 years would be extremely unusual, in fact I have never heard of it.
    9 months would average, sometimes a year or so and often €5,000 plus in legal fees plus loss of rental income

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    Mute Mary M
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    Nov 26th 2023, 7:22 AM

    @Áine G: plenty you can do … report said landlord! Bosh!

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    Mute Paul
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    Nov 26th 2023, 8:58 AM

    @P.J. Nolan: Landlord has to issue a notice along with a statutory declaration of intent to sell.
    Once notice expires he has to open a case with the RTB to end the tenancy. This will take a year at current processing rates.
    The tenant can appeal without grounds, which will add about 6 months waiting for a full second hearing with a 3 person panel of RTB adjudicators.
    Of the RTB rules in his favour, then he will still have to apply to a District Court for an eviction order if the tenant refuses to leave. This will add approx 10 more months.

    So, you don’t know the procedure and how the decks are stacked against law abiding landlords.
    You’re content to spoutthe SF IRA propaganda!

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    Mute Margret Walsh
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    Nov 26th 2023, 6:10 PM

    @Áine G: plenty you can do actually. Report him to RTB thats what they are there for and stop whinging !

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    Mute Lydia Mcloughlin
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    Dec 2nd 2023, 11:39 AM

    @P.J. Nolan: Well it is fact that this is the case here. Those in situ known to guards (if you are in the business you could look it up). Has been to court excuses such as can’t move out and can’t afford it accepted.

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    Mute Magnificent Mongoose
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    Nov 25th 2023, 7:24 PM

    They probably can’t navigate the absolutely awful revenue website.

    26
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Nov 25th 2023, 9:27 PM

    @Magnificent Mongoose:
    If you think the Revenue one is bad, you should try the RTB website l.
    It’s so bad they have put an apology on the front page

    27
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    Mute Allo Allo
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    Nov 25th 2023, 7:32 PM

    There are a lot of renters tax evading in different ways, they do not claim any tax back for fear of bringing attention from tax man

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    Mute Graham Dunne
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    Nov 25th 2023, 8:03 PM

    My rent was increased on the basis I’d be getting it, thereby nullifying it. Pity they don’t just hand it out as an actual rent supplement and weren’t so busy hiding it from us instead…shrugs…

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Nov 25th 2023, 9:28 PM

    @Graham Dunne:
    Do you think your landlord wouldn’t have increased the rent either way?

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    Mute Graham Dunne
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    Nov 26th 2023, 11:53 PM

    @Peter Murray: Rightfully so? It’s supposed to be a dig out in tough times for tenants- not landlords. But fair play to you. I’m sure you could do with the few bob.

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    Mute Paul
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    Nov 25th 2023, 5:47 PM

    Any tenant that hasn’t registered is a dope.

    Stop blaming everyone else for your problems.

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    Mute Temp Stuff
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    Nov 25th 2023, 3:30 PM

    How?

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