Fermanagh and Omagh councillors banned from talking about PHA Covid-19 meeting

A number of councillors across a spectrum of political parties contacted the Local Democracy Reporting Service in the aftermath, voicing anger at being effectively gagged from discussing what the PHA has told them, while in the same breath seeking assistance in getting their message across.

None divulged what they were told, only that it related to the pandemic and awareness around vaccinations.

All who spoke out said they were under strict instructions that: ‘What is said in the room does not go outside it’, leaving them bewildered  around the rationale for the meeting at all.

How do you ‘engage’?

One said: “How are we supposed to engage with communities and constituents if we’re banned from telling them what we’ve been told? There was some reference to ‘our communications people engaging with your communications people’ and then we aren’t allowed to say anything to anyone.  It was a nonsense. These behind-closed-doors briefings only stoke up fear and suspicion.”

Another said there was nothing discussed or disclosed in the meeting to merit it being heard confidentially adding: “This would have been ideal content for the newly upgraded Health and Social Affairs Subcommittee and would have hit a much wider audience. The irony is PHA were asking us to get the message out and then we are banned from discussing it. We don’t know who decided it would be confidential or why.”

It is understood the meeting was addressed by the PHA Interim Chief Executive Olive McLeod and Director of Public Health Dr Stephen Bergin.

Last week Dr Bergin wrote an open letter which was widely published in Press urging people to do a number of things to help protect themselves, those close to them, and the wider community.

Questions

The PHA were asked why was it felt necessary to provide this briefing confidentially and who made this decision and based on what policy or rationale?

Also, was this briefing being similarly delivered in secret to all local authorities and how many occasions since the pandemic took hold has PHA held similar confidential briefings with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and other local authorities stating dates of same?

They were asked what the purpose of the briefing was, what it was hoped to achieve, and if PHA accept holding meetings behind closed doors creates fear and suspicion, particularly in respect of something as serious as the Covid-19 pandemic?

Finally, PHA was asked when it intends to release the details of this meeting to the public?

In a largely generic response, a spokesperson said: “The PHA has worked closely with local councils throughout the pandemic, for example to help ensure key public health messaging is disseminated, that elected representatives are kept apprised of issues, and to encourage partnership working with regards to testing, contact tracing and vaccination.

“As part of this work, the agency can provide briefings to elected representatives, which are generally held in a closed environment to give attendees the opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues candidly, with the aim of ensuring that accurate information is shared and any information gaps are bridged.

It is standard practice for some briefings which touch on sensitive or specific information to be held outside of public sessions.

“The PHA regularly and consistently issues public messaging and information, as this is essential in ensuring that people are kept aware of a range of issues relating to the pandemic and know what public health actions to take, and the agency will continue to do so via the normal communications channels,” the statement concluded.

This failed to answer a number of very specific questions, notably why the meeting was required to be confidential and who made this decision.

The PHA also declined to address the issue of public suspicion in holding such briefings behind closed doors, in something as serious as the Covid-19 pandemic.