Results 33,841-33,860 of 46,522 for speaker:Simon Harris

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: -----rather than a maker of it. I am sure the Ceann Comhairle and the House's authorities can clarify, but my understanding is that the Oireachtas made a decision to seek public health advice in terms of how it conducts its business. The Oireachtas is sharing that public health advice with Members.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: One is not less of a Member upon becoming a Minister-----

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: -----in terms of one's own health. Regarding other workplaces, I heard the deputy Chief Medical Officer speaking about this matter yesterday. It is about carrying out a risk-based assessment of any workplace and a variety of factors can obtain, for example, the safety of a location, how long to spend in a room and the like, but I am sure there can be more clarification. I hope that a...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I doubt the whole country is waiting to hear what I will say on this, but I will be clear. On 27 March, workplace protection and improvement guidance was issued by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI, for all workplaces that were open. The NSAI is the body from which people and businesses around the country are taking their advice. Guidance has been issued for many different...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: It is the answer to the question. The answer to the question of why did this become socialised this week is the Oireachtas asked somebody to come in and assess our workplace, and not just for the Deputy and me, but for our staff and the staff who work here-----

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: We will talk about that as well.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I am following the public health advice in this workplace and so, too, are Deputies for their staff. Everybody has to follow the public health advice in their workplace. There is a HSA in place that can go in and inspect workplaces. Between Monday and Tuesday of this week it carried out 190 inspections of workplaces. Every workplace has to operate in a safe way. We need to lead by...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: The Deputy knows the answer.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I am not.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Deputy Kelly is blaming NPHET for everything. The Oireachtas asked someone to come in here and give advice. It had nothing to do with NPHET.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Deputy Kelly is obsessed with blaming people. He will be blaming NPHET for Covid-19 next.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Okay, I withdraw it. NPHET did not do this. There is guidance in place. The pharmacists and other people are putting different protections in place. Some people are putting up perspex, some people are wearing face masks, some businesses are not allowed to open and others are only open for takeaways.

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Some people are coming to sealed rooms and they are working in different ways. I am very grateful to doctors for giving us advice on how to protect our health. I am very grateful for doctors around the country putting guidance in place for different sectors as to how people should protect their workplaces. It should be remembered that as of today, most workplaces cannot open such is the...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: Just to say at the outset, the Deputy raised the question last week of the over-70s being able to participate in tennis, golf and so on. We were able to clarify that this is the case. I have not yet seen the letter from Beaumont Hospital to which the Deputy referred, but I will make sure I see it straight after this and I will respond to the Deputy and to the letter. It is important to...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: They are, and I want to see this matter relating to Beaumont Hospital addressed as well because, as the Deputy stated, we have spare capacity across the health service. That is a rarity, but we need to be able to address this issue. Regarding private hospitals, I share the Deputy Shortall's view that we are going to need to retain all the capacity we can. Where I think there is room for...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I have discussed this with the Chief Medical Officer and he said it is a short-term challenge. As we begin to resume non-Covid-19 care, we are going to see a significant need to increase testing, and regular testing, among certain cohorts of people. That could include hospital staff and patients going into hospitals----

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: There is advice from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, ECDC. The testing strategy paper tomorrow - and genuinely tomorrow - at NPHET is to finalise that deployment. The HSE is bringing the paper to NPHET tomorrow. Even ECDC guidance out this week, I think - and which was shared with the Covid-19 committee - refers to the frequency of testing that may be required in...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I would appreciate his privately conveying to me any examples he has of such situations. Although what he stated is correct, the HSE in its plan has given a commitment that, starting from Monday, 18 May, it will take an average of one or two days from a swab being taken for test results to be received. The overwhelming majority of people should...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I know the Deputy has been advocating on behalf of this group of patients for a considerable period and I thank him for his work in that regard. What he has stated is correct. My officials and I have met several Deputies, including him, in respect of this matter, and I have met several of the patients awaiting this drug and their families. I am disappointed that some are still waiting for...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (21 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I have not yet seen that breakdown of costs. I expect to be briefed on the matter by the Secretary General or another senior official of my Department as part of the review process we intend to undertake as per the agreement. That is due to commence at the end of this month. It is a review process of 30 days. I have not yet seen the breakdown of costs but I intend to be briefed on it.