Results 3,101-3,120 of 6,944 for speaker:Michael McNamara

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Michael McNamara: I have a question of local interest to me and do not expect an immediate reply, but the Minister might give me one in writing. Earlier, the HSE told us that the Department engaged the DAA to carry out the follow-up calls in respect of people coming into the country. What tendering process was done for that or how was Dublin airport selected over, say, Shannon, which is going through a round...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Michael McNamara: With the DAA, but how ------

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Michael McNamara: That is fine. I thank the Minister. There are some other issues I would like to raise, but I have taken up enough of his time. I thank him for coming in and making himself available. I appreciate that is it a busy time for him and for his officials. I particularly thank Mr. Malone, who I know had to work through his holidays to organise today’s meeting, and Ms Sarah Cremin from...

Nomination of Member of the Government: Motion (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I wish the incoming Minister, Deputy McConalogue, well in his new role. He and I were first elected to Dáil Éireann on the same day and I wish him the very best in a role which has become something of a boat trip through the Bermuda Triangle in this Dáil. I hope that has come to an end and that Deputy McConalogue will be able to bring some stability to a role that desperately...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I will be brief. I appreciate the pressures of trying to confine a session to two hours. However, the two-hour time limit the committee has afforded itself is not what teachers or students are enjoying and it sets a bad example. I very much appreciate that this decision was not taken at the behest of the Acting Chairman or me. The Dáil will meet this afternoon in the Convention...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I ask the representatives of primary schools to outline briefly what their members are encountering as they return to school.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: We have seen many international studies regarding the detrimental effect on educational progress arising from students being out of the classroom for long periods. While we have not seen anything specific to Ireland, are students where Ms Magner would expect them to be? Are pupils in first class or third class, for example, where she would expect them to be in terms of educational...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I wonder if I could briefly ask Mr. Pike-----

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: -----what SNAs are encountering.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: Perhaps Mr. Pike will reply in writing to me on what his members who are SNAs are encountering in terms of the most disadvantaged students.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: We are back in session for two hours, hopefully. I welcome our witnesses joining us from committee room 2 to review the preparations for the reopening of our schools and how the reopening is operating in practice: Ms Lorraine Dempsey and Mr. Mark O'Connor, Inclusion Ireland; Ms Áine Lynch, chief executive officer, CEO, and Ms Clare Downey, manager of early years services, National...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I invite Ms Lynch to make a statement on behalf of the National Parents Council Primary and ask her to confine her statement to five minutes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I thank Ms Lynch for her presentation and for staying within the five minutes. I invite Ms Fanning to make her opening statement. Again, I ask her to confine her remarks to five minutes. Ms Mai Fanning:The National Parents Council Post Primary is grateful for this opportunity. The mental and physical well-being of our children has always been and remains the main focus of concern for...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I now open the floor to Deputies for questioning and statements. The first speaker is from Fianna Fáil, Deputy Devlin.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: There seems to be an issue with the sound from the committee room. I ask that the Deputy speak more loudly or move closer to the microphone.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I am sorry but the Deputy's time is up. The next speaker is Deputy Colm Burke who has five minutes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: Thank you Ms Lynch and Deputy Ó Laoghaire. I will move onto the next speaker. Deputy Carroll MacNeill will take five minutes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: The Deputy is only supposed to have ten minutes in the first slot but she can come in again.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I thank Deputy Ó Cathasaigh and call Deputy Gannon.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: There is a difficulty with picking up the sound.