Parliamentary committee of inquiry into COVID-19

The members of the parliamentary committee of inquiry on the COVID-19 pandemic were appointed on Tuesday 30 January. The committee consists of the following MPs: Peter Smitskam (PVV), Anita Pijpelink (GroenLinks/PvdA), Daan de Kort (VVD), Rosanne Hertzberger (NSC), Claudia van Zanten (BBB) and Pepijn van Houwelingen (FVD). At the constituent meeting on Tuesday 6 February, Daan de Kort was elected committee chair and Anita Pijpelink was elected vice-chair.

Daan de Kort (VVD)

Chairman

Proposal for inquiry

In accordance with the motion by Wilders et al., the committee will first discuss the proposal for inquiry published by the Temporary Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic to identify the need for modifications. In the event that the committee decides to change the proposal for inquiry, the amended proposal will be submitted to the House.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on Dutch society. Given the enormous consequences and the crucial importance of learning from the COVID-19 crisis, Aukje de Vries et al. submitted a motion to establish a parliamentary inquiry. The House of Representatives passed this motion on 4 November 2021. In September 2022, the Temporary Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic started working on a proposal for the parliamentary inquiry, drawing up a research design and research questions. The proposal was submitted to the House in late May 2023, at which point the Chamber decided to postpone the inquiry. On 13 December 2023, the committee of inquiry was established by unanimous consent.

Purpose of the inquiry

The purpose of the inquiry is to establish the truth about (1) the government's actions during the COVID-19 crisis, the trade-offs that were made and the insights that underpinned them, and (2) the role and functioning of the House of Representatives. By evaluating the government’s response and learning lessons from the past, the country will be better prepared for potential pandemics and other crises in the future.

What is a parliamentary inquiry?

A parliamentary inquiry is the most powerful investigative instrument at the disposal of the House of Representatives. This will be the 15th parliamentary inquiry after the Second World War. A second parliamentary inquiry on anti-fraud policy and services is currently underway and is nearing completion.