Ireland owes a COVID-19 inquiry to the “people who have lost their lives”, according to the former CEO of the HSE. 

Paul Reid led the HSE during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic – and he said he is ready to present himself to an inquiry on Government decisions during lockdown. 

He told The Anton Savage Show this inquiry wouldn’t simply be “picking a scab”. 

“We owe it to the people who lost their lives, we owe it to health care workers who've lost their lives,” he said. 

“We owe it to the public who mobilised really well. 

“I said this very publicly at the start and the middle and since COVID... at the very best, we would get 70% of our decisions right and there’s probably 30% that we do differently. 

“That’s reality in business, that’s reality in the public service.” 

Members of the public wearing face masks on the Luas during the COVID pandemic, 05/01/2022. Image: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Mr Reid, whose time as HSE CEO was largely dominated by COVID, said the mistakes made during the pandemic have to be clear – so people can be ready for the next global health emergency. 

The Programme for Government promised a review of the ‘whole-of-Government' response to the pandemic before the next general election, including economic and social responses. 

In April, Taoiseach Simon Harris said a memo on the terms of reference for the inquiry is “almost ready” to be brought to Cabinet. 

Rise in COVID cases

There was a 60% jump in COVID cases last week, rising to 1,042. 

Mr Reid, however, said he is “not unduly concerned” about the rise. 

“We’re going to get these waves,” he said. 

“Thankfully, I think we're on a much different period of COVID. 

“Obviously, hospitals have to take precautionary and health systems have to take precautionary measures. 

“I'd say to anybody who's immunocompromised or older persons to be cautious at this time - but thankfully, we're in a much different period with COVID.” 

He said COVID “facilitated an opportunity for a significant change in the health system” in changing from emergency departments to primary care centres. 

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