Results 23,861-23,880 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: -----the kernel of the issue that has been raised with me and that I have heard raised publicly. The Oireachtas will perform its function in respect of the legislative process and that will take place, as I understand it, tomorrow evening.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: Deputy Bríd Smith raised the issue of the EU aviation agreements. I again underline the importance of international connectivity for us, as an island nation, from tourism and trade points of view. I hope the House will agree with the motion that has been placed before it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: I assure Deputy Mattie McGrath that the Government is working very hard on all strands relating to inward migration, people fleeing the war in Ukraine and those seeking international protection. There will be a further Cabinet committee on that issue on Monday of next week. We have an obligation to fulfil our international responsibilities and we will continue to do that. On the issue...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. I appreciate that the cold weather, which has arrived and will get worse, is a real concern for many households. We want people to be comfortable in their homes. I will take up the specific issue she has raised about the timeframe that some applications for additional needs payments are taking and her suggestion regarding CWOs. I ask people who are in need to engage...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, has spoken to some colleagues on this issue and has made it clear that, contrary some reports, the ED in Navan is not closing this month. Of course, a concern the Deputy has is the knock-on consequences for Drogheda and the ambulance bypass protocol. The only change, as I understand it, is in a very exceptional and specific...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Gannon. The Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, are very much aware of this issue. They have already taken a number of steps, including on a temporary basis for the current school year that job-sharing teachers may be employed to work in a substitute capacity during the period they are rostered off. The limits on substitute work applying to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this issue. I do not have a specific answer to hand. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to revert to the Deputy on any consideration being given to changing the age eligibility for the breast cancer screening programme.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Shanahan. My understanding is the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, are supportive of the single European sky initiative. They have been engaging with counterparts from throughout Europe. They have been setting out the Irish position at the relevant Council meeting and they will continue to do so.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy McGrath. To be fair it might be more appropriate for the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to have that meeting. I will ask him to do so. I think the interests of the child are paramount. What we should be working towards is that there is reunification, particularly at Christmas when people deserve to spend time with their families, but on the proviso that what is paramount first...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Pringle for raising this issue. I am reluctant to give a commitment on the floor of the House that cannot be stood over and implemented but I understand the point he is making. The spirit of what has been decided is clear and we have to find a way of giving effect to it. I will discuss the issue with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and we will revert to the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Devlin for raising this issue. A cornerstone of the Sláintecare policy is that we move towards public activity in our public hospitals. As Deputy Devlin knows discussions have been under way for quite some time between the HSE and the Department of Health with the relevant bodies, namely, the IMO and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association. I have been briefed as to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy O'Donnell who has raised a question in which many consumers throughout the country will be interested on feeding through reduced wholesale gas prices to the domestic electricity and gas prices charged to households and businesses in Ireland. As the Deputy knows, pricing is a matter for the companies themselves. He can be assured the Minister, Deputy Ryan, the Department and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Deputy will be well aware that the airport noise competence authority in this case is Fingal County Council. It is very much aware of these issues and, indeed, so is the Irish Aviation Authority. Work is ongoing to address the matter. Ultimately, this is a matter of enforcement, and the appropriate statutory bodies have the power to deal with these issues.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: My understanding is that the change that will come into effect on 12 December is that the patients who are acutely ill will no longer be brought to Navan by ambulance. Instead, they will be taken to the nearest appropriate hospital, depending on their condition. That is different from the full ambulance bypass protocol that had been proposed. The Minister has engaged on this, and it is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: We have now provided a dedicated stream of funding for new medicines to be progressed through the system and, ultimately, to be made available to the patients who are impacted. That has been broadly welcomed by the industry. That is ring-fenced funding that has been secured. As the Deputy said, the NCPE does its job competently. I am aware of the committee report to which he referred, and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The general scheme of the Bill has been published by the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee. There will be a process of engagement, including, of course, with the relevant Oireachtas committee during the pre-legislative scrutiny phase. I anticipate that all the stakeholders that the Deputy referenced will be given an opportunity by the committee...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: We want to see those 74 voids brought back into play. I will take that issue up with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O’Brien. He has made a lot of progress through the local authorities by providing the extra funding over the past couple of years. The number of voids has, therefore, reduced. There will always be some element of voids, but...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: That is a fair point.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: I will start with Deputy Murphy's question. It would break one's heart to hear about baby Jacob. If I understand the Deputy correctly, the support package has been sanctioned but is not being implemented. It could well be the case that the HSE is finding it difficult to get the staff through an agency or directly-employed HSE staff. However, we will follow up on that case. A note has...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Dec 2022)

Michael McGrath: Does Deputy Gould never get it wrong?