Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Chair today and on behalf of the Chairman, I fully and strongly endorse the remarks of Deputy Lahart. The role the witnesses had to play was very often a lonely path to which they stuck despite criticisms and adverse "expert" opinion, of which there was much. As Deputy Lahart said, the witnesses continued to stick to their ground in the public interest and the interest of the health of the nation. They did extremely well. That was a lonely road at times. I was part of the Covid committee. We met with many of the witnesses during that period and we listened to the comments. We also have to recognise the people who were supportive, helped the witnesses and stood by them in difficult times. We also have to remember the frontline people who lost their lives and those who continue to risk their lives and well-being in the course of their work. There were many of them. We have gone over the number of casualties in the country of whom there are more than 5,000 already. There were those who were cynical in the beginning and said this was only a flu and would pass over. Well, that was not true. Of course. To each and all of the witnesses, both here and outside, we have to thank them for their sacrifices and dedication. As Deputy Lahart said, we hope they have an opportunity to take time out and recover from it.

That concludes the business for this morning. The meeting now stands adjourned until Wednesday, 22 September, at 9.30 a.m.