Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I wish to state for the record that although the extent to which the public should be aware of the deliberations of the expert advisory group is debatable, members of this committee and other Deputies, as those who are responsible for oversight of this effort, should know the substance of those debates. I read the most recent minutes of the debate within the expert advisory group on the use of masks. I do not have time to go into detail, but it was a very interesting debate. However, it took place five weeks ago. Deputies have to make decisions now. I wish to know the most up-to-date advice on masks and face coverings and the debates that are happening within the expert advisory group. I hope my request will be taken on board.

Could we have more information about who is becoming infected? We are told there is community transmission, although I acknowledge that current rate in this regard is low. Surely the committee needs to know who is becoming infected now. Do the witnesses know that? If not, why? Given that certain restrictions are to be lifted, will that be tracked in detail? Approximately two months ago I asked whether we should at least know the occupations, sectors and categories of people who are contracting the virus in order that we can understand from where outbreaks may come. Is that reasonable for Deputies to know? Do the witnesses know the position in this regard?