Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I ask members to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the recording equipment. I also remind them of the importance of sanitising their desk area and seat when leaving the committee room.

We now turn to the main item on the agenda, which is the final report of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response that was published recently and that has been circulated to members. The special committee was established by order of the Dáil on 6 May 2020 to consider and take evidence on the State's response to Covid-19. I take this opportunity to put on record at this committee our gratitude to the members of the special committee and its Chair, Deputy Michael McNamara, for their diligent work throughout the summer months and for the production of this very important report, which will be so beneficial to us in our work programme going forward.

This report is in a form that enables each of the Oireachtas sectoral committees to continue consideration of the Covid-19 response. As per the Government request, this report and its recommendations will form a priority item for the committee in our work programme for the remainder of 2020 and for 2021. The special committee's recommendations and the issues it deems pertinent to this committee and the Departments of Social Protection and Community and Rural Development have also been circulated to members. A briefing document from both Departments has been circulated.

I propose that at this meeting we consider those recommendations with a view to identifying the key areas we wish to scrutinise and examine over the coming months and to reporting back to the Minister with responsibility for both Departments when we have concluded our hearings. With regard to future hearings, and bearing in mind we are currently still at the highest level of restrictions, level 5, I am requesting that we limit the number of witnesses invited to attend Leinster House and we should encourage submissions in a written form, which we can then consider when received.

Members of the committee and of the Houses have absolute privilege in respect of statements made in either House of the Oireachtas or before a committee. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a Member of either House of the Oireachtas, a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now open the floor for contributions on the final report of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response.