Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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773. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in putting up the minutes of NPHET meetings on the www.gov.ie website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11233/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Covid-19 NPHET is supported by a dedicated Secretariat that works diligently to prepare high-quality minutes for publication as quickly as practicable.

Given the significance of NPHET meetings and the importance of its work in the context of the State’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is imperative that a full and accurate account of each NPHET meeting is maintained. NPHET agendas cover a wide range of very complex and technical public health issues and NPHET discussions are by their nature, lengthy, fast-paced, and multifaceted.

To ensure factual accuracy and representation of discussions, the NPHET secretariat’s minute-taking process involves a number of procedural steps in line with best practice. This drafting process takes time and cannot be dispensed with in the interest of ensuring quality and accuracy.

The Deputy may wish to note the NPHET minutes are published up to 21st January 2021 at the address below. The minutes of 28 January will be published on 2 March. It is also envisaged that the minutes of the 4 and 11 February will be published 5 March. Additional minutes will then published weekly on a rolling schedule.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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774. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 946 of 24 November 2020, if his Department will adopt more robust minute provision services to replace the phrases mentioned in the response (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11235/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As previously advised, the minute-taking process for Covid-19 NPHET meetings is robust.

The NPHET is supported by a dedicated Secretariat that works diligently to prepare high-quality minutes for publication as quickly as practicable.

Given the significance of NPHET meetings and the importance of its work in the context of the State’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is imperative that a full and accurate account of each NPHET meeting is maintained. NPHET agendas cover a wide range of very complex and technical public health issues and NPHET discussions are by their nature, lengthy, fast-paced, and multifaceted.

To ensure factual accuracy and representation of discussions, the NPHET Secretariat’s minute-taking process involves a number of procedural steps in line with best practice. This drafting process takes time and cannot be dispensed with in the interest of ensuring quality and accuracy.

The Deputy may wish to note the NPHET minutes are published up to 21 January at the address below. The minutes of 28 January will be published on 2 March. It is also envisaged that the minutes of 4 and 11 February will be published 5 March. Additional minutes will then published weekly on a rolling schedule.