The Taoiseach has said that NPHET will cease to exist as a separate body over time. Speaking to RTÉ's News at One, Micheál Martin said that the role of NPHET and the vaccine taskforce will be transitioned into the normal functions of the Department of Health and the HSE.
He said the Chief Medical Officer and the discipline of public health is critical to deal with the pandemic going ahead and with wider public health challenges as "we are not going to eliminate the virus".
Micheál Martin also said that the legacy of the pandemic needs to include a stronger public health function. The Taoiseach said that the high priority given to public health advice will remain but it "has to be part of a stronger public health capacity as part of the