Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Given that HIQA has said the HSE has stated it does not understand the private nursing home sector, it is fair to think the Department of Health does not either as it is a further step removed. The only people on the National Public Health Emergency Team are civil servants from the Department of Health, HSE officials, a few virologists and HIQA. HIQA representatives were the only people in the room at all of those meetings who had any understanding of what was going on in nursing homes. Why did it take so long to raise the issues? When it was raised on 10 March why did HIQA stand over a decision not only not to protect the nursing homes but to open them up again?