John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----what has been confirmed. There was a confirmed case in that facility. I believe a number of other residents had been tested and were awaiting results. There was a decision taken, and this was in consultation with the HSE, HIQA, I believe, the department of public health, and other bodies, to advance a move from that facility to another facility in Tymon North. Work had been ongoing for a period of time on that facility. I believe it was due to open in April. However, a decision was taken to move all residents from the facility on the border between Wicklow and Dublin, it turned out, towards the end of April. I forget the exact number of residents who were moved. All were moved, but 12 of the former residents of that facility sadly passed away. Some 34 staff members also tested positive for Covid.

Serious questions need to be answered around that decision to move residents from that facility given that there was an outbreak. In responses I have got from the HSE and, indeed, of direct questions to the Minister also, they said the decision was taken to move the residents from that facility for their own safety to another facility in Dublin. Given the facts that have been established by the HSE, clearly that was the wrong decision.

The virus spread like wildfire within the facility to which they were moved, a facility that was not ready to be occupied as far as I know. Would Ms Cliffe accept that was the wrong decision to take given that the virus spread like wildfire and, unfortunately, 12 residents passed away and 34 staff members also tested positive?