Ireland's public health team is attempting to stamp out leaking with a watertight new system for sharing confidential documents with its members.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has been using a new, high-tech method of circulating documents since November 4.
The current set-up, the team says, will "enhance security and data governance procedures".
It comes as Government and health officials continue their PR arm-wrestle over Covid-19 restrictions, often by way of leaks to the media.
Minutes from NPHET's meeting on October 29 show that the new approach to sharing documents – many of which contain sensitive information on the team's decision-making processes – was created alongside the IT experts from the Department of Health.
While NPHET admits that the new method of sharing documents may be a source of "inconvenience" to some of its 30-plus members, top officials believe the security benefits more than make up for it.
NPHET members – including medical experts, scientists and civil servants – have also been asked to sign a Confidentiality Statement, after leaking allegations that shrouded the team's methods in controversy.
It remains to be seen whether details of NPHET's meeting today make it into the media through non-official channels, but the new system does herald an attempt from the body to clamp down on leaks.
At a meeting on October 22, NPHET members were reminded by Dr Tony Holohan that the body's recommendations "must be treated with utmost confidentiality in order to preserve the integrity of the process, by which the Minister and the Government consider such advice".
According to minutes of the meeting, the Chief Medical Officer stressed "the importance of using only the agreed and established communication channels".
By the time of publication, the Department of Health had not provided answers to a series of questions from the Irish Mirror about the system.
The new system for sharing documents was created in the aftermath of Dr Holohan's comments.
Ahead of NPHET'S meeting this afternoon, Leo Varadkar announced that Ireland's lockdown will be lifted for the Christmas.
The Tanaiste said retail, gyms, hairdressing and personal services will be the first to reopen.
And he added that the hospitality industry, including restaurants and gastropubs, could still open next week too.
