Dr. Ronan Glynn:

We would have very regular engagement with the ECDC both at departmental level but also through colleagues in the HSE who engage in data sharing on a very regular basis. We would also have people who would sit on the advisory and management board forum for the ECDC.

There has been a recognition at European level that the response overall was not as optimal as it could have been, that we need to reflect on that and ensure that we are better prepared in the future. From that perspective, the EU has already developed something but I will not call it an agency at this stage because it is not entirely clear what the format will be but it is a health emergency preparedness and response authority. So there is work ongoing on that and I would expect to have more detail on that, probably by the end of the summer.

The ECDC has played an important role in our understanding, particularly around disease transmission. Of course, we do not rely on the ECDC alone. We have very regular engagement with colleagues in Northern Ireland and across the UK. We also keep abreast of developments at WHO and CDC levels.