(Tom Burke)THE Government is insisting that the absence of a World Health Organisation (WHO) required ‘competent authority’ for dealing with contagious diseases at our ports and airports is not affecting Ireland’s Covid-19 response. It emerged today Ireland is in breach of WHO International Health Regulations (IHR) because of the lack of monitoring facilities for such diseases. Documents released to RTÉ under the Freedom of Information Act also show Ireland has been non-compliant for around 10 years, despite high-level discussions on the issue between the HSE, the Health Department and Transport Department. Members of her party has been advocates of the ‘zero-Covid’ strategy, and the Kildare North TD said Ireland has a history of being reactive rather than proactive when it comes to building institutions. Last month, Nphet said the ‘zero-Covid’ strategy advocated by opposition politicians was impractical and risky.

Source: Irish Independent February 10, 2021 12:49 UTC