Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Holohan, Dr. De Gascun and Mr. Morris for all their work in trying to keep people safe and alive. I also thank Dr. Glynn for his work in his capacity as acting Chief Medical Officer during the period Dr. Holohan took a step back from the role.

Dr. Holohan mentioned the need for NPHET to make point-in-time assessments. That is totally understandable and when needing to move between levels such assessments must be made. As mentioned, we have had representatives of the aviation industry before the committee. They are seeking to make decisions for spring and summer 2021 which are not point-in-time assessments.

There is a belief that NPHET has been the barrier to allowing them to put in place the structures for a testing regime that would be part of a multi-layered framework. It is very understandable that NPHET has to make point-in-time assessments and it is equally understandable that the aviation industry has to make decisions that will involve a time lag. As the representatives from the DAA mentioned, it will have to make planning applications for testing regimes to local authorities and it will take time to get personnel involved. All of this will take time. As difficult as level 5 is, it provides a breathing space to do this. Is there an appreciation of the two competing decision-making timelines between NPHET and the aviation industry when it comes to this? How is NPHET negotiating this difference?