Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have great respect for NPHET, whose professionalism is world class. We beat the virus in the first round when it came to our country initially. I have no issue with representatives from NPHET being asked to come here. If they can appear before the media, and they do every day, they must come in here.

It is wrong to say there is a conspiracy of silence among them. They answer all the questions they are asked. I see them being asked questions on television. They have been on television frequently. What concerns me are the comments yesterday, as reported in The Irish Times, to the effect that when somebody in NPHET was asked about this, that person said it was a matter for the Department of Health. Therefore, from what I am reading, I do not believe it is NPHET representatives who do not want to appear before us. I suggest that this committee honour its statutory obligation to ensure probity and transparency and ask representatives to attend. We will meet specially, if need be. If any issue arises, the Minister should clear it up with urgency and immediately. I believe NPHET representatives are very transparent and open, and they have done a fantastic job.