'Toothless’ EU agency was behind Covid curve because of data gaps – EU Ombudsman

The inquiry highlighted gaps in how the ECDC collated data from member states as the public health crisis unfolded and how the agency did not have the necessary powers to compel countries to provide information. Picture:Gareth Chaney/Collins

An EU agency set up to monitor disease outbreaks was behind the Covid-19 curve in the early stages of the pandemic and needs greater powers to collect data from member states, the EU Ombudsman has said.

European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly was commenting in the wake of a six-month inquiry into the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) response to the Covid-19 pandemic.