Fianna Fail TD Jim O’Callaghan

This morning

on Newstalk, Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan discussed the possibility of the country moving to Level 5 with host Pat Kenny…

“First of all it [the recommendation to move to Level 5] is advice. It’s on a decision by NPHET and any decision made in respect of this shall be made by Government.

However, I’m concerned that the manner by which we’re doing business at present, it’s not a good idea for the people of Ireland to hear, late on a Sunday evening, a leak from NPHET indicating that there’s a recommendation that the country’s going to go to Level 5, that we shouldn’t be doing business that way.

“NPHET’s job is to advise the Minister for Health. It’s job is to coordinate the health sector response to Covid. But it’s not an independent entity and it’s a group that advises the minister and it’s Government and politicians that will make decisions as to whether or not this country moves to a different level.

“Obviously the advice given by NPHET should be considered by Government and I know that the three leaders of the parties in Government are meeting NPHET today but I would be asking them what’s the reason for the inconsistency in the NPHET’s approach?

“They met last Thursday, there was no recommendation in respect of this. I’m also concerned that if Government are to go to Level 5, it would be completely disproportionate at this stage.

That we’ve to look to see where we are in terms of this pandemic. And I know what [Infectious disease expert] Porfessor Sam McConkey says, you know, we have to look ahead but in terms of assessing a pandemic, the primary way to do it, is you assess it by a number of steps and you assess it by a number of hospitalisations.

“To date, 1,810 people in the country have died of or with Covid and only 47 of them have been recorded as dying since the first of August so the terrible time for this country in terms of our failing in respect of Covid was the nursing home fiasco that happened in March, April and May when significant numbers of people died.

“The numbers are much lower now in terms of death.

“When you look at hospitalisations, Pat, back in mid-April, there were 881 people in hospital in this country who tested positive for Covid and on a particular day, the 15th of April, there were 155 people in intensive care. Today, there are 134 people in hospital and 21 in intensive care, so we’re nowhere near where we were in mid-April.

“If we go to Level 5 now, where do we go after that?

“Like the reality is, we had the lockdown, it reduces the numbers, we can’t eliminate this virus, and if people tell you ‘we’re going to get it to zero, we’re going to eliminate it from Ireland in the same way that St Patrick got rid of the snakes, they’re fooling you and they’re fooling the public.”

Rollingnews

Earlier: What’s Going On?

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12 thoughts on “On The Level

  1. MME

    While I am more or less on board with government measures, I do find it staggering over the 4+ hours of discussion by NPHET, not one person raised the timing of what is alarming news (as most of us were getting read for bed) or sought to privately convey their concerns to government, letting the government decide to make it public or not. NPHET have overreached here.

    1. Johnnythree

      But the Govt told them to. Without being a conspiracy theorist here. It’s how they get to Level 4 for Dublin and 3 for Ireland. NPHET go on about level 5, stick it out to media, tee everyone up then Govt comes in an says ‘we suggest Level 4’ which what they and NPHET want all along. We are being played by Govt and NPHET.

      1. MME

        It would be out of character for NPHET but if true I doubt it is some grandiose conspiracy. The government have a duty to consider their advice and come to their own decisions taking this and other factors into account. What I did not care for is NPHET publicising advice destined for the government who actually make the decisions. NPHET’s role is advisory.

        1. Mick

          The anxiety among the younger ones in my house, while getting ready for school the next day, was very high. I think it was very unfair to release this on a Sunday evening (whether leaked or released, makes no difference) with no follow-up. The sense of panic in the school today is very obvious, I’m told.

  2. broadbag

    2020 really has been a year for the books, me having to agree with Jim O’Callaghan tops it off, I feel dirty.

      1. Cú Chulainn

        Tests won’t solve that feeling I’m afraid.. agreeing with FF, for however limited a time, is something that you have to come to terms with. That might take some time. It might help to think of what O’Callahan is going to do to Donnely when this is all over.

    1. Truth in the News

      All discussions that take place in NPHET conference’s need to be placed in the
      Public Domain, never mind selected leaks, quite simply the outfit like HSE is
      not transparent or indeed fully accountable, what going to be done about the
      colossal backlog of people awaiting treatment and appointments with serious
      medical conditions, are the existing hospitals operating at full capacity, what is
      the percentage of medical procedures postponed or deferred……?

  3. Bruncvik

    Regardless whether moving to Level 5 is wise or not (it would affect me negatively, so I’m personally against it), I find it interesting that so many coalition politicians are now arguing that advice is not a law. One could take it as inspiration the next time the government advises something…

  4. Vanessanelle

    Jim is about the only one in the Government Benches questioning anything
    in Public anyway

    I reckon the next month in and amongst the Government is going to be like a Californian Wild Fire

    Lockdown, collapse of State functions like health care, education etc, Budget 2021, Leadership challenge stuff, RTE missing a few beats here and there with the spin
    Ministers going missing/ not turning up

    Lets play bingo
    Eyes down, and a Frilly Christmas Puddin’ cake for a full house

  5. Friscondo

    He’s right. Never thought I’d be agreeing with him, but we are where we are. This is Holohan announcing his alpha male return, and showing the others what big cojones he has. Experts are human just like the rest of us. After all it was the experts decisions that resulted in all those unnecessary deaths in nursing homes. Every NPHET recommendation needs to be thoroughly examined. Whatever is decided will produce a bad outcome. It’s up to government to pick the least worst option. I have little faith in any of them. The virus is the only one in control of this awful mess. Wear a mask. Keep your distance. Reduce contacts.

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