Recommendation 50

It is very likely that an inquiry will be needed in order to fulfil the State’s obligations under Article 2 ECHR to investigate structural issues affecting Covid deaths. We welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement that there will be an inquiry. If such an inquiry is to be effective in learning lessons in time to save lives, it would ideally have clear, focussed objectives and be time-limited. Such an inquiry should include consideration of (i) Covid-19 deaths in a detention setting; (ii) Covid-19 deaths of healthcare/care workers and PPE; (iii) Covid-19 deaths in care homes due to early releases from hospitals; (iv) deaths where the person has been denied access to critical care; (v) Covid-19 deaths of transport workers, the police and security guards due to inadequate PPE.