Nphet became 'de facto' decision-maker, rather than advisor to Government, report finds

Concerns about the “vast” influence of Nphet on Government and a lack of transparency in decision-making throughout the pandemic have been raised in a new report by the Covid-19 Law and Human Rights Observatory at Trinity College Dublin. Photo: Paddy Cummins/Collins

Sweeping powers to restrict citizens’ liberty in the name of public health were handed over by the Government to the unelected National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), a new academic report has claimed.

Concerns about the “vast” influence of Nphet on Government and a lack of transparency in decision-making throughout the pandemic have been raised in a new report by the Covid-19 Law and Human Rights Observatory at Trinity College Dublin (TCD).