Louth TD welcomes plans for Covid-19 inquiry

The news that the government is to establish a Covid 19 inquiry by the middle of the year has been welcomed by Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú who asked Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to ensure that the families of those who died at Dealgan Nursing Home in Dundalk get “answers and closure”.

Speaking in Leinster House last week, Deputy Ó Murchú said: “On the inquiry into how the State dealt with Covid, the Taoiseach is talking about it being scoped out. Would it be possible to get a timeline on how long this scoping exercise will take? Can we get the detail as soon as possible about the remit and whether we are talking about individual modules, as well as a timeline on the inquiry?

“I spoke to the Taoiseach previously about Dealgan House and the 23 people who died there. The fact the RCSI Hospital Group took over there makes it different. The families have been promised by Ministers that a mechanism will be provided to provide answers and closure. We need to ensure this happens.”

In response, An Taoiseach said: “We are scoping out the Covid inquiry at present. We hope to have it established by the Oireachtas mid-year. It will not just be about the State's response; it will be about the wider response from all society, including the private sector.

“It is impossible to put a timeframe on it but given the scope and scale, it could take a long time. That is the truth of it. I cannot possibly put a time on it’.

In response to a previous question from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, An Taoiseach confirmed the inquiry would look at how nursing homes dealt with Covid 19 and that the State would examine Covid 19 inquiries were being conducted in other countries.

Speaking afterwards, Deputy Ó Murchú said: “While we welcome the progress on establishing an inquiry into Covid 19, it has to ensure that those who lost loved ones in nursing homes are front and centre. “Families will need to see the details.”