Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I watched the Tánaiste's interview on the "Claire Byrne Live" show on Monday night. The view I formed, and I think many people formed the same view, was that the Tánaiste got his information from a media leak. We know that was not the case, that there was an unscheduled meeting of NPHET on Sunday, and that the Minister for Health also had telephone calls before and after that meeting. Telephone conversations are two way. We would expect the Minister for Health to have asked questions to see what exactly that meeting was about and what measures NPHET was considering. Was the Tánaiste fully aware of that conversation and will he outline that for us?

In hindsight, given the escalating numbers, does the Tánaiste regret the interview with Claire Byrne? Does he accept that it has been a distraction in the fight against the virus? Does he accept that the primary focus this week has been about mending fences? Indeed, the Tánaiste has just said that he had a telephone conversation to clear the air. We really should be focusing on putting our collective efforts into fighting this virus. A collective approach is needed from the Government, NPHET, the political system and from the public. The public can only do so much, however. The State must also play its part and play it comprehensively. We must reduce the incidence of the virus and take the pressure off the hospitals, and those matters are already being talked about.

In March, the Tánaiste told us that there was a comprehensive strategy involving restrictions, social distancing, testing, contact tracing and isolation where there was a positive test result. That was followed in May when he announced the HSE's strategy on testing and contact tracing. There were going to be key performance indicators for testing and contact tracing. In recent days, a leading health specialist has warned that regional departments in the public health system can no longer cope and that Covid-19 outbreaks are going to be missed. Dr. Anne Dee, a consultant in public health medicine, is reported as saying that eight regional departments are now "throwing in the towel" and giving up on "proper" contact tracing. She spoke about the urgency of getting staff and was fearful that it will be the new year before those staff are in place. She added that "The regional health system is as close to collapse as it has been at any time before."

We trusted the Government to ensure that these systems were put in place and that they were resourced and functioning. The idea that contact tracing is nearing collapse should be a major source of concern. We cannot contain the virus if we do not know where it is and we do not ensure that people are properly traced. We need a frank discussion on the shortcomings and how they are going to be addressed.

Does the Tánaiste believe that, to clear the air, the Minister for Health should make a full statement in the Dáil so that people can ask questions? I ask because we must get rid of this distraction. Were those with responsibility for regional public health systems contacted and asked what is required? What systems are being put in place to ensure the contact tracing system works?

See this speech in context