Results 6,541-6,560 of 6,840 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Legislative Framework Underpinning the State's Response (9 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: Will Mr. Buquicchio comment on the international experience?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Legislative Framework Underpinning the State's Response (9 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I wish to discuss a separate point and move off foreign travel. The challenge of striking the balance between public health considerations and economic, social and other considerations, including mental health and educational needs, is consistently raised. In Ireland, the Government is advised from a public health perspective by the National Public Health Emergency Team. In Britain, the...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Legislative Framework Underpinning the State's Response (9 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: Can Dr. Buquicchio point to international examples of advisory models that inform Government decision-making?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Legislative Framework Underpinning the State's Response (9 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I have a final question for both speakers in regard to the legal basis for testing regimes and, it is hoped, in the not too distant future, vaccination regimes. What is the international experience of the legal basis for testing regimes as it applies during the Covid pandemic? The witnesses will probably have some experience of some regimes from certain quarters or of questions being raised...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Legislative Framework Underpinning the State's Response (9 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: As do I.

Gnó Comhaltaí Príobháideacha - Private Members' Business - Cancer Screening: Motion [Private Members] (8 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I commend Deputy Cullinane on tabling the motion. It is timely and important. The CervicalCheck scandal and now Covid-19 with the suspension of screening programmes have brought cancer care in Ireland into focus again. I am sure others will address the important issues of delayed and missed diagnoses and the unnecessary pain and hurt this causes. Others will mention the poor outcomes we...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (8 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 187. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to put targeted business supports in place for travel agents which have been severely impacted by the travel restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22466/20]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aer Lingus (8 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if financial assistance from the State has been sought by airlines due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22442/20]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aer Lingus (8 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 184. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to providing financial assistance in exchange for equity in Aer Lingus in view of the financial difficulties at the airline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22443/20]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities (8 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 185. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of installing a bicycle rack on the front of a public bus; his plans for the introduction of such modifications for cyclists who also rely on buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22444/20]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities (8 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 186. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of increasing capacity on train services for passengers to bring bicycles on board with them; his plans for the introduction of same for cyclists who also rely on trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22445/20]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Carbon Tax Yield (8 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 292. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated amount the carbon tax will raise in view of the proposed increases in the carbon tax as outlined in the programme for Government in each of the years 2021 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21931/20]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Carbon Tax Yield (8 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 297. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount extra an increase of €7.50 per tonne in the carbon tax, as outlined in the programme for Government will raise in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22078/20]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Aer Lingus (8 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 308. To ask the Minister for Finance the areas in which the proceeds from the sale of Aer Lingus which established the connectivity fund (details supplied) have been invested to date; the value of the investments; the amount that has not been invested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22441/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (8 Sep 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: 1366. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive a surgery appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22422/20]

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid 19: Implications of a Zero-Covid Island Policy (13 Aug 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank each of the expert witnesses. It is great to have them here and to have their insights. I will start with a question for Professors Kearney and Staines. In presenting this zero-Covid strategy the witnesses have said it is backed by science, experience and extensive analysis. With regard to experience, are there examples of where this has been done? Is New Zealand an example or...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid 19: Implications of a Zero-Covid Island Policy (13 Aug 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: A point was raised by Mr. O'Brien earlier in argument to the approach. It is the argument we hear regularly in opposition to this approach, including from the former Taoiseach and now Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Varadkar, which is that Ireland is not like New Zealand. We are much closer physically, geographically and economically to our nearest...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid 19: Implications of a Zero-Covid Island Policy (13 Aug 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank Professor Staines. I will move on to my next question. I take it from Professor Heneghan's contributions that he has a different opinion on the zero-Covid approach. Given that he works in the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine and has done a lot of work on evidence synthesis, does he advocate an alternative approach and what would that approach be?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid 19: Implications of a Zero-Covid Island Policy (13 Aug 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank Professor Heneghan for that response. I have a final question for Professor Kearney. There is a lot of agreement on the need for testing capacity to be improved and to have rapid and flexible testing. We currently have unused testing capacity. I am inclined to think that is an inappropriate position to be in but does Professor Kearney have a sense of the type of testing capacity...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid 19: Implications of a Zero-Covid Island Policy (13 Aug 2020)

Darren O'Rourke: That is not the case with the cases in a crèche in County Meath. I know people involved who had to wait more than a week to have the test and contract tracing done and to get results back. That is completely unsatisfactory in a relatively quiet time in terms of demand on the system. It is something we can all agree we need to improve. I thank the witnesses for their responses and...