Covid-19 Dáil Committee can play an important role in coming months – Matt Carthy TD
Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, this week commenced a new aspect of his work as he became one of 19 Dáil Deputies that have been appointed to the new Special Committee on Covid19.
The committee, which met for the first time on Tuesday, will be tasked with analysing all aspects of the state’s response to the Coronavirus and the strategy to emerge from restrictions and will have the wherewithal to make formal proposals for legislative and regulatory changes. The committee is also empowered to invite Ministers, officials, sector representatives and experts to attend hearings.
Deputy Carthy said this week that the new committee can play an important role in ensuring that there is proper debate and dialogue about how we emerge from the Covid-19 crisis. He said that the committee could also be pivotal in ensuring accountability for all decisions made and stated that he looked forward to playing a constructive role in its deliberations.
He said:
“The first meeting of the Special Dáil Committee on Covid-19 met this week. Sinn Féin had argued for some time for proper scrutiny of the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and for Ministers to be accountable to the Dáil at this critical time.
“The Dáil has been able to sit more frequently over the past number of weeks – and that is welcome – but the establishment of a Special Dáil Committee on Covid-19 is an important part of the process of ensuring that there is proper debate and dialogue about how we emerge from this crisis; from a health perspective and how we deal with the economic crisis that has emerged.
“While the first meeting of the committee, held on Tuesday, dealt with logistics I am hopeful that from next week we will get down to the real business. Sinn Féin have argued that it should focus on a number of key areas; (i) health, (ii) supports for households and employers, and (iii) rebooting the economy. The Committee can play an important role in the time ahead.
“I am honoured that the Sinn Féin leader appointed me as one of our party’s four representatives on the committee alongside Pearse Doherty, Louise O’Reilly and David Cullinane. We want to ensure that this committee elicits the answers that workers, businesses and communities need in the time ahead and I look forward to being part of this important forum during this crisis period”.
ENDS
