Richard Boyd Barrett Demands NEPHIS Advisory Minutes on COVID-19

Richard Boyd Barrett pressed for publication of minutes from the expert advisory group to NEPHIS on COVID-19, arguing that promised transparency has not been delivered. He urged the Taoiseach to instruct the Minister for Health to publish the advisory group's minutes so the public can see what the experts told NEPHIS.

Demand for publication

He asked the Taoiseach to tell the Minister for Health to publish the minutes of the expert advisory group to NEPHIS because the public needs to know what the experts told NEPHIS.

Concerns about transparency and schedule

He described the week's schedule as a sham if commitments to transparency — such as publishing advisory minutes — can be made in the chamber and then ignored. He emphasised that basic transparency and accountability are fundamental to this place.

Timeline and previous promises

He said he had been asking for the minutes for two months and that they had been promised "time and time again" but never delivered, signalling a repeated failure to provide the requested records.

Call for accountability

He demanded direct action from the Taoiseach to ensure the Minister for Health publishes the expert advisory group's minutes, framing the release as necessary for public accountability and proper scrutiny of COVID-19 advice.