Minister for Health Simon Harris is awaiting a full report today from the Health Service Executive into the bulk reporting of Covid-19 cases by one hospital yesterday.
Speaking ahead of a meeting with Cabinet ministers this morning, Mr Harris said he could not give the name or location of the hospital in question at this point.
He said that the rules around the reporting of infectious diseases, of which Covid-19 is one, are "very clear" and he described the reporting of a large number of cases from one hospital dating back as far as the middle of March as "extremely disappointing".
On whether or not this is a criminal matter, the minister said "that also needs to be checked". "It absolutely clear there is a legal requirement to