The Government’s COVID Inquiry is a ‘weak, last-ditch effort’ ahead of the election, Sinn Féin has warned.

Cabinet on Wednesday signed off on what it is describing as an ‘evaluation’ of Ireland’s COVID response – however, the investigation will not have powers to compel people to give evidence.

The investigation will examine the healthcare response to the pandemic as well as the wider economic and societal impact of lockdowns.

Led by NUI Galway Professor Anne Scott, it is due to get underway in the coming weeks.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on health, David Cullinane, on the plinth of the Dail in January 2022. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane told Newstalk the plan will not offer answers to the families of those who died.

“It is a last-ditch effort by this Government as we get closer to an election,” he said.

“It is very weak; it isn’t sufficient.

“We have called for a more robust inquiry in the past and I think what was announced was very late in the day on the one hand and very weak on the other.

“In my view, it will not satisfy those campaign groups and family members of people who lost loved ones who simply want closure.”

Nursing homes

Deputy Cullinane said the inquiry must have powers to establish where mistakes were made – noting, in particular, that nursing homes were left chronically understaffed at key times during the outbreak.

He said the families of those who died in Ireland’s nursing homes need answers.

“They want to know exactly what happened, establish all the facts, have full accountability and transparency, obviously learn lessons,” he said. “But also, they want it to bring closure to them in relation to their experiences.”

“Like any inquiry, when injustices have been done and people feel questions need to be answered, it is important that we provide the space for those families to tell their stories.”

'Bare bones'

Yesterday, the Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he had “no doubt” that senior NPHET members, including the former Chief Medical Officers, would cooperate with the inquiry – even though they cannot be compelled to do so.

The Taoiseach Simon Harris said non-statutory investigations with similar powers have been successful in the past – but suggested the Government would “keep an open mind” about any extra powers Professor Scott may request.

The Labour leader Ivana Bacik said it was ‘tokenistic’ for Government to announce the ‘bare bones’ of an inquiry the week before the Dáil is due to be dissolved.