Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to put on record my thanks to all the public health experts who have contributed to the committee in recent months. When such people contribute to public debate, it is often really important. If Covid-19 is to be with us for a long period, our political system faces a challenge. If four economists were in front of us, they would all have different views, as do the witnesses before the committee today. The political system, and thus democracy, would dictate which course of action we would take. In my view, Ireland has taken a very balanced view. We have not gone for the zero-Covid strategy, although I do not think we are far from it, nor the open approach either. As politicians we all have to assess the advice that comes before us. Austerity, for example, is a way of reducing public debt but it has terrible consequences and often loses public support. If we were to pursue a zero-Covid strategy, would it be inevitable that public support would be lost and that there would be unintended consequences?

I might direct that question at Dr. Ryan or Dr. McConkey.