I raise with the Taoiseach what appears to be an increase in the number of people who have died this winter and last winter compared to previous years. In its analysis, the Irish Examiner indicated that there is an increase of up to 20%. From my conversations with people in the medical professions, undertakers, priests and others, I know that they concur that there is an increase in the number of people dying. Has the Taoiseach's attention been drawn to this? Has analysis been conducted on what might be causing it or have any explanations been identified?

Yes, my attention has been drawn to it and I have seen the analysis in the Irish Examiner. It seems there has been an increase in excess deaths this winter relative to other winters. It seems it is a phenomenon that is not unique to Ireland. It is an international one. I have asked the chief medical officer, CMO, for her opinion and advice on it. The likelihood is that it is related to a number of factors such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and Covid-19 all circulating in the community. People's immunity is not what it was due to social distancing throughout the pandemic. People's immunity is not as strong as it would have been if they had been out and about picking up viruses. There is also the issue of unmet health needs - as large parts of our health service were effectively closed down during the pandemic restrictions, people did not get the healthcare they would otherwise have received. That is all only opinions at the moment. We do not have any data to back it up and I have asked the CMO for her thoughts on it.