Results 33,861-33,880 of 46,522 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: I must say that I find the comparison with Siteserv a little grotesque when one remembers what we were trying to do here. We were trying to make sure that we had ventilators and rooms for Irish people who might be struggling to breathe and fighting for their lives during a pandemic in which we could have seen 39,000 of our citizens die at this stage. I will never, ever regret making sure...

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

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Fitzpatrick for raising this important matter. In regard to Dealgan House Nursing Home, I very much welcome the fact HIQA is due to carry out an inspection in regard to Dealgan and I will be guided by the outcome of that, as I am sure the health service will be. HIQA is the regulator and has the ability to go into any nursing home and inspect it, and it is right and proper...

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

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Fitzpatrick for raising an important and very sensitive matter. These are major decisions that we take as individuals and sometimes take in consultation with our families. I can only imagine how difficult it is for people at a time of huge grief. I will reflect on what the Deputy has said and will respond to him in writing. I hear very clearly his call in this regard and I...

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

Simon Harris: I join with the Deputy in paying tribute to healthcare workers across the country. The point he makes is a very interesting one, that they have been at work when many of us have been staying at home, and the Deputy raises their concern in respect of their children and their children's education. The Deputy will understand that it is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and...

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

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I do not have the information to hand but from my memory, I understand that there was a pain consultant working within Children's Health Ireland, I think in Crumlin, who left the position for a variety of reasons. I wish the consultant well and understand this person was very highly regarded by patients and families who are really...

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

Simon Harris: The first thing we do when sourcing any equipment is to try to source it from wherever we can. I am very pleased that we were able to secure some international supply chains to get access to personal protective equipment and so on. The Deputy's general point is on the importance of trying to support indigenous industry. This issue has been raised by a number of Deputies in the House. I...

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

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy O'Donoghue for highlighting this issue. My Department provides public health advice and other line Departments interact. I will certainly bring the issue raised to the attention of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and ask that his Department respond directly to the Deputy.

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

Simon Harris: I believe they have but truthfully I would need to-----

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

Simon Harris: I will confirm that in writing so as not to mislead the Deputy.

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

Simon Harris: I believe we now have enough laboratories on board to deliver 100,000 tests per week. There are 41 laboratories being used across the country, mainly hospital laboratories, as well as some academic laboratories and private laboratories. I will get a breakdown of those for the Deputy.

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

Simon Harris: Yes, I will.

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

Simon Harris: I understand.

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

Simon Harris: We will not have the nursing home debate because we do not agree on that and it would take up time. We will get to debate it one day. There is vacant capacity in the private hospitals but, to be clear, we do not want to get the capacity in our health service to 100%-----

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

Simon Harris: Let me agree with the Deputy on this point. I want us to see greater utilisation of that capacity but, as Dr. Colm Henry of the HSE has said, we have to do it in a safe manner. Even in the case of surgeries the Deputy talks about wanting to be recommenced, it is not just a matter of flicking a switch. We will have to look at how we can provide it safely and how we can bring people back...

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

Simon Harris: I will have to find out from Saolta why it decided to move patients. Presumably, it was a clinically appropriate decision to do that but I will check that out. A review at the end of May is built in to the agreement and I am very open to the idea of looking at how we can use the hospital. I will write to the Deputy on the matter.

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

Simon Harris: I know why the Deputy makes that point but I certainly would not be in any way flippant in respect of this. The decision to suspend cancer screening was taken by clinicians on public health grounds. I do not have responsibility for McDonald's but I do have responsibility for the safety of people in our health service, of its staff and of the women and men of Ireland who use it. The...

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

Simon Harris: My priority with Covid-19 is to keep as many people in this country alive as possible. Through the incredible efforts of the Irish people, we have saved an awful lot of lives. My ongoing priority is to manage the virus to a point that we do not see a second wave and that we continue to see the virus suppressed while we try to live alongside it. That will be a difficult and delicate...

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

Simon Harris: I am open to correction but I believe the risk assessment was done by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. I did not carry it out but I hope the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission will make it available to Members if it has not already done so. The point the Deputy made about deaths because of but not of Covid-19 is a serious and accurate one. This will be a major challenge for all...

Estimates for Public Services 2020: Motion (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I move: That, notwithstanding Standing Order 215(1) or (2) of the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann relative to Public Business, the following Revised Estimate for the Public Services for the year ending 31st December, 2020, be presented to the Dáil and circulated to members on 27th May, 2020, being a date later than that prescribed for the presentation of Estimates: Vote...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (27 May 2020)

Simon Harris: I very much welcome this opportunity to once again update this House on the Covid-19 disease and our national response to it. First and most important, I wish to express my sympathy to the family and friends of those who have been lost to this disease since I was last in this House. It is important to say that each private loss is also a loss to our country, and we offer our deep and...