Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 9 September 2020
Special Committee on Covid-19 Response
Covid-19: Human Rights and Civil Liberty Considerations
Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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We have had three contributions, all of which have been really comprehensive. I thank the witnesses for that and I want to hear from all three organisations.
Perhaps we can all work together to limit the time needed for responses if we can.
There was mention of a proposal that did not come to pass of criminalising gatherings in private homes. That is indicative of the kind of kite flying that has gone on which has been deeply unhelpful and really does not assist anybody when it comes to messaging. Measures like this make their way into the public domain because they were making their way to the Cabinet, so this is important. What level of consultation has occurred between the Government, the Department of Health and the organisations before the committee today? I note the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, ICCL, has made submissions to Ministers or Departments but I am talking about engagement. This is not an invitation to make a submission but rather an invitation to have that level of interactive engagement.