Covid inquiry 'sensible thing to do before a general election', says Harris
The number of deaths due to covid was thrust back in the spotlight, as the Society of Actuaries in Ireland published data showing almost 1,100 moreo people died over 2020-2021 than would have been expected based on pre-pandemic death rates. Picture: Sam Boal /RollingNews.ie
A covid inquiry may now be a step closer, as Taoiseach Simon Harris indicated on Tuesday it is the "sensible thing to do" before a general election.
While the memories of the pandemic have receded somewhat, it only takes a mention of lockdowns, Garda checkpoints, or takeaway pints to bring that time sharply into focus.
This must be even more painful for families who lost loved ones to covid or other causes — whether in nursing homes, hospitals, or elsewhere in those years.
The number of deaths due to covid was thrust back in the spotlight, as the Society of Actuaries in Ireland published data showing almost 1,100 more people died over 2020-2021 than would have been expected based on pre-pandemic death rates.
Mr Harris was asked on Tuesday about delays to opening an inquiry following publication of this data.
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He welcomed the report, saying it shows “the benefit in terms of life-saving decisions that were made by the Irish Government and, more importantly, by the people of Ireland in terms of their compliance with public health advice.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin supported this, saying: “I think we have to learn lessons, we have to have an objective look at what we did.”
He said “a lot of work-up” has been done, and people will be selected to head up what he called “an evaluation”.
However, relatives of those who died or indeed people who lost their business or saw their children miss out on schooling will want to see this happen more urgently.
Social Democrats health spokeswoman Róisín Shortall pointed out that an inquiry has been discussed since January, but nothing has yet moved forward.
She emphasised the need for an independent chair, adding that it should not become a blame game.
Unlike the inquiries in the North and England, politicians’ WhatsApp messages are not expected to be included here.
Previous reports on excess deaths during the pandemic years — including from Hiqa, the Central Statistics Office, and the OECD — have produced varying figures by using different datasets or benchmark years.
It also takes time to register deaths, with relatives given three months by the General Register Office, while the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the HSE advise 12 months is the maximum allowed.
Conspiracy theorists have also rushed to social media, claiming that disparities between the various studies indicate a fudge somehow of what happened.
Linda Daly, a senior lecturer in actuarial science in University College Cork and member of the Society, said excess deaths they identified happened “primarily” during 2021.
“We accept there were additional deaths for covid-related issues, but there were lesser deaths for other issues such as car accidents, respiratory, [and] flues. On balance there were broadly no excess deaths from 2020,” she told RTÉ.
She also said they are very aware people engaging with this discussion may have lost someone, saying: “We don’t want to lose sight of that.”
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