Dr. Ronan Glynn:

From the very start we have tried to communicate as openly and effectively as possible. Communication is paramount in a pandemic. People need to know what they need to do and what the situation is. We hold press conferences reasonably frequently, twice a week at the moment. Social media clearly plays a role, but the most effective element of communication over a number of months has been the consistency of the message from our political representatives, media organisations, sporting organisations, community organisations, the public sector and private business. Everyone was on board with the simple messages. I fully understand why those messages have been diluted and many have stopped providing those messages, but we really need to get back to providing those messages. Social media has a very significant role to play and we will try to up the game in the coming weeks in that respect. I fully accept that some people feel we are not providing enough information and we will endeavour to provide more.

Given the current rise in cases, we are at a very delicate point. The measures we took last week are absolutely premised on public buy-in and understanding of the rules around gatherings of six or 15 people and the need to avoid congregation. We need everyone across society to communicate that message if it is to be effective and to prevent us having to recommend further measures.