Results 20,061-20,080 of 24,361 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing for Aviation and Travel Sectors: Discussion (9 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank Dr. Mina for being here and wish his mother a very happy birthday today. I will not delay the meeting. Dr. Mina has given a very impressive presentation, as have our other witnesses. The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, has consistently warned of the drawbacks of antigen testing. He has referred to the test as being 50% accurate. Does Dr. Mina agree with that sentiment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing for Aviation and Travel Sectors: Discussion (9 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: We have been discussing the European green certificate, antigen testing and returning to sporting events. Dr. Mina is based in the city of Boston. On 29 May the Governor of Massachusetts ended all restrictions and the Red Sox are back playing in Fenway Park. Would Dr. Mina be confident antigen testing can play a significant role in people attending sporting events?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing for Aviation and Travel Sectors: Discussion (9 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: The United States has reopened internal travel. The testing information supports the argument that antigen testing can play a role in the travel experience.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing for Aviation and Travel Sectors: Discussion (9 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank Dr. Mina for giving us his time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing for Aviation and Travel Sectors: Discussion (9 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the witnesses for being here. The evidence is emphatic. Professor Mark Ferguson was before us. I am sure Dr. Mina read the report Professor Ferguson presented. Does he concur with the professor?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing for Aviation and Travel Sectors: Discussion (9 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: We have reached the point in the committee where we seem to have a view around the need for antigen testing. I concur with everybody who has asked for the CMO and Dr. De Gascun to come in. It is imperative that we conclude with them in that. I support that proposition.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing for Aviation and Travel Sectors: Discussion (9 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Is it an attainable goal to have crowds at the all-Ireland final?

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad (25 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I propose that notwithstanding the order of the Seanad of Tuesday, 22 June 2021, the proceedings on the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 shall be interrupted after 20 speakers for 30 minutes, to allow for the sanitisation of the Chamber, and the order of debate shall resume thereafter.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. The old political cliché is that one day in government is better than any day in opposition. Today is the proof that government is where it matters. The Minister is in a position not just of privilege but of driving real profound change for the people of Ireland, for Europe and the world. The legitimacy of the Government is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I ask that we amend the Order of Business for tomorrow to have a debate on the reopening of the country and the roll-out of the vaccination programme in the context of the decisions to be made by the Government. They are important decisions that should not be made in a vacuum but in a full, open and transparent manner that includes disclosure of the information that NPHET will give to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I welcome our guests. I really hope we can have the witnesses back in a less combative, adversarial manner. I regret the tone of the meeting from a personal perspective. Beginning with Dr. Glynn, did he say in a reply that antigen testing was not discussed by NPHET?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Yes, but was it discussed in the context of aviation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Why would it not have been discussed specifically for aviation, sport or cultural events?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Yet in the context of face coverings or masks, NPHET revised its position. At the beginning, it said that face masks were unnecessary on public transport or in shops, but on 10 August it became mandatory to wear masks in those settings. NPHET changed its position. Why would antigen testing in the context of aviation or sporting or cultural events not have been reviewed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: No. I am sorry. I did not say that at all. I asked a specific question. I was not in any way being belligerent or confrontational. I asked why NPHET did not recommend antigen testing in the context of aviation. NPHET changed its position on face coverings. I have no difficulty with people changing their positions. I am in a profession where we do that all the time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Could I just draw Dr. Glynn's attention to thelancet.compeer review of 100,000 air passengers in the United States who used supervised rapid antigen testing? I know time will not allow us to comment on that but it is important that we talk about the pilot schemes in aviation. We rightly did stop the world and travel was stopped and therefore there was only limited travel. Dr. Holohan knows...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate that we are all trying to keep everybody safe. Has NPHET given any consideration to giving Pfizer as a second dose to people who have had AstraZeneca for their first vaccination? In the context of a booster shot, much like the flu vaccination, does Dr. Holohan see us having a yearly one and, if so, could there be a recommendation that Pfizer would be used? In the context of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank Dr. Glynn. The reason I raised the issue was to have a debate. I am not in any way confrontational and I do not want the witnesses to think that I am.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Jul 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I wish to raise to two issues with the Deputy Leader this morning. The first is in the context of attendance at championship matches. We all witnessed and welcomed the return of matches with crowds and spectators at the weekend. The pilot games were a success and we salute and congratulate Cumann Lúthchleas Gael on its successful handling of the matches in all the provinces. I ask...