He says we should be pursuing a "herd immunity" strategy.
The HSE has rejected the remarks of a senior doctor who claimed Covid-19 was not as harmful as flu.
It's after the surgeon said the virus should have been "allowed to spread" throughout the summer in an interview with the Irish Times.
Martin Feeley is a vascular surgeon, and the clinical director at the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.
In remarks published in today's Irish Times, he says we should be pursuing a "herd immunity" strategy.
He says people should have been exposed to the virus all through the summer to try and give them immunity -- claiming that would lessen the impact on our health system this winter.
The HSE says it "disassociates itself from and rejects the comments" in a statement issued this afternoon.
Its Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry says there is no known cure or vaccine for Covid-19 -- and unlike flu, most of us have no immunity to the new virus at all.
A study published last month based on blood testing in Sligo and Dublin estimates less than 60,000people in Ireland had been exposed up to now.
Dr Henry says we still don't know if they're immune to the virus or how long they might stay immune.
He says if infection was allowed to spread freely it would "overwhelm healthcare systems and lead to large-scale illness and death".
Rock Legends 'The Cult' To Headline Forest Fest
"A Huge Relief" Parent Reacts To Return Of Nurse To MRHM
Motorist In Westmeath Clocked Speeding On National Slow Down Day
Plans Submitted For Over 100 Offaly Homes
Midlands Student Among Winners At Prestigious Trad Music Awards
Midlands Man Who Died In Workplace Incident To Be Laid To Rest Today
'Exceptional' Nurse To Return To MRHM Paediatric Diabetes Service
Children's Health Ireland Disputing Stats On Cancellations
Support The Bees For 'No Mow May' - Offaly County Council
10 Year Masterplan For Derryounce Lakes and Trails Nearly Set
Norovirus Outbreak In Midlands Nursing Home
Offaly GAA Community Mourning The Loss Of Former County Chair
Have The Conversation Before It's Too Late - Sister Of Laois Dad Who Died Waiting For Transplant
Education Minister Believes Laois Special School Building Project Set To Progress
Midlands Students Win Top Prizes In Children's Art Competition
"There's No Defence For Having A Knife" - Midlands Garda
Unsafe Residents And Overcrowded Rooms Highlighted In IPA Accommodation Centre
Midlands Taxi Numbers See Significant Drop Since 2019
Aontú Blames Lack Of Government Action For Increasing Road Deaths