Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We helpfully published the methodology behind the model in great detail in recent weeks, which I know people in this House had been requesting. Learned minds can give consideration to that. As I have previously said, and more importantly the Chief Medical Officer has said, there is not any one marker. I have heard an occasional criticism of NPHET in this House. For what it is worth, my view as an outgoing Minister is that NPHET will continue to have a major role to play in the public health emergency in terms of the need for close monitoring in a methodical way for some time. This will involve a number of issues, including the R-nought. As I pointed out to the House today, the fewer new cases there are the harder that is to predict. The total number of new cases is a key indicator, as is the R-nought and the translation of that into ICU and hospitalisation and also what we are seeing in regard to testing. One of the most encouraging things we are seeing in regard to testing is the low positivity rate. The positivity rate, the actual number of new cases and the R-nought are probably three of the key issues we will be looking at. The modelling will need to continue its work and to continue to update on a weekly basis.

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