No April's fool joke: 2026 before covid report lands

It will be over six years by then since the first death from covid in Ireland with more than 9,500 since
No April's fool joke: 2026 before covid report lands

The Picture In Responses The 'betrayal Some A To Of File Frustrated Announcement 'tokenistic' The   Of Families', Were Bereaved And Day', 'late

It could be April 2026 before the chair of the covid evaluation — not an inquiry — finalises her report leaving many despairing at waiting so long.

Those miserable lockdown days ran into each other even at the time — so how much more unreliable will memories be of why decisions were made by 2026?

It will be over six years by then since the first death from covid in Ireland with more than 9,500 deaths since. 

A 'betrayal of bereaved families', 'late in the day', and 'tokenistic' were some of the frustrated responses this week. 

Professor Anne Scott was only announced as chair on Wednesday with 12 to 18 months to produce her report. 

Yet, Britain's Covid-19 Inquiry in Northern Ireland concluded in May this year. 

That was described by BBC Northern Ireland as a “forensic scrutiny of health policy” despite leaving some unanswered questions. 

Hearings were open to the public in Belfast and streamed online. 

How many more unanswered questions are likely from an evaluation is the issue now worrying opposition politicians, health workers, and families.

In January 2023, then-taoiseach Leo Varadkar committed to opening the inquiry that year but as the clock ticked the delays mounted up.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has already had to insist it was “really important” to first hold a consultation and ensure that anyone who wants their voices heard on covid can be heard.

He compared the process to other reports that have produced useful results such as the Scally Report on CervicalCheck. 

Families represented by advocacy group Care Champions who lost relatives to covid mainly in nursing homes remain unhappy, however.

“The Government evaluation is a betrayal of the bereaved and a missed opportunity for answers and reform,” a spokeswoman said.

The plans are "a cynical attempt to evade scrutiny and silence the voices of the bereaved", she said. 

She dismissed them as inadequate. 

'Slap in the face'

Describing the plan as “a slap in the face”, she called for instead “a full, independent public inquiry with the power to compel testimony and examine systemic failures”. 

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald backed them up, saying she does not understand why “a proper mechanism” for a proper inquiry was not provided. 

She told reporters: “This isn’t a witch hunt, but it does have to be a genuine process.” 

Labour leader Ivana Bacik shared similar concerns, using words like ‘tokenistic’ and also pointing out the “very late in the day” announcement.

Nurses are raising concerns their sacrifices will not be recognised in the process.

Nurses are raising concerns their sacrifices will not be recognised in the process.
Nurses are raising concerns their sacrifices will not be recognised in the process.

Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha warned:  "Covid has left lasting health impacts on some of our members, with many still suffering from long covid. 

“The INMO continues to advocate for improved services to support them. For some, the pandemic marked the end of their careers, and tragically, it proved fatal for others."

A government spokesperson said that they anticipated full cooperation by State departments and agencies. 

More in this section

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

Echo Group Examiner © Limited