David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I echo what the two previous speakers said. It is unacceptable that the representatives from NPHET are not here. We asked them and expected them to be here last week. Members of the committee appreciate that NPHET is very busy, as indeed are the witnesses from the HSE who are here today, the Department and the Minister. We are busy as well. I appreciate that NPHET is on the front line in giving advice to Government. The point has been made that almost all the decisions being made that have a real impact on people's lives are being made on the basis of advice from NPHET. A dangerous narrative has now taken hold that asking any questions and having any debate on the issue somehow undermines NPHET. That is both wrong and unacceptable.

All of us, in government or opposition, have a responsibility to probe, analyse and debate. That is healthy for decision-making. It is wrong that the people in question are not here. I am not saying that is why they are not here. I do not know why they are not. As Deputy Shortall stated, we need to get a reason. This is two weeks in a row without representatives from NPHET being here. We need to bear in mind that this committee was established to probe and analyse the advice that is given because that is our only filter. We have a debate in the Dáil this week, the first debate we have actually had on either the winter plan or the plan for living with the virus.