Mr. Liam Herrick:

We think it was disappointing the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response ceased its operation at what was a relatively early point in the crisis. It did some excellent work. We have had recommendations from IHREC that there be a special human rights and diversity committee which might have an ongoing function to carry out that work. Others have made recommendations that each operative joint Oireachtas committee would be considering regulations in their respective areas, be that justice, education or health. Thus there are a number of different options there and it is disappointing none of them seem to have been taken up. We heard from Ms Coyle from Mental Health Reform about the specific impact in one particular area.

The ICCL fully supports and endorses this impact on one of the most vulnerable sections of our population. It is disappointing that the health committee has not been given the opportunity to consider how the mental health tribunals operate. That is an obvious example of where the Oireachtas could play a role.