The British Covid Inquiry has released another huge report. Hundreds of pages, years of testimony, and a stark conclusion: tens of thousands of lives might have been saved with a faster response. Its public hearings, cross-examinations, and political fallout are all playing out in the open. 

Ireland, by contrast, is taking a very different path. Our Covid-19 Evaluation has been operating behind closed doors for months. No sworn evidence. No public questioning. No powers to compel documents or text messages. Supporters of the process say it keeps the focus on learning lessons instead of political point-scoring. Critics — including many families bereaved in nursing homes — say it's “toothless" and reminiscent of past Irish investigations that simply didn’t go far enough. 

On today’s podcast, Tara Duggan hears from Dr Ciara Kelly, who has long argued that Ireland locked down too hard for too long. She also speaks to Majella Beattie of Care Champions about why so many families believe only a statutory inquiry can deliver the transparency they were denied during the darkest months of 2020 and 2021. And Maynooth University’s Shamsoddin Shariati explains to Newstalk Daily why our expert-led review may avoid the political circus unfolding in the UK.