ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the responses to the pandemic adopted in Dublin, Ireland, across all levels of government as a complex adaptive system. Semi-structured interviews with local government officials analyze the actors’ cognition of risk and the responses adopted in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak. The detailed discussion on Dublin demonstrates how collective cognition was quickly achieved in relation to a single, understandable, unifying threat. This case demonstrates the importance of a clear, collective approach to disaster management and how siloed responses, while initially effective, may have long-lasting negative impacts.
