Results 4,261-4,280 of 6,944 for speaker:Michael McNamara

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Jul 2021)

Michael McNamara: I have a similar case, the details of which I will pass on to the Tánaiste. NPHET modelling is based on the assumption that vaccination will reduce but not prevent transmission of Covid-19. That is borne out by data from Public Health England. The bottom line is that even if - and it is a big if - the vaccination targets are met, Covid-19 variants, and perhaps new variants of it,...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Jul 2021)

Michael McNamara: I do not know whether the Tánaiste has ever been in Miltown Malbay or Tulla when the raining is coming in sideways. What is the Government going to do to plan for this?

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

Michael McNamara: I want to come back to the report compiled by Professor Ferguson, the chief scientific advisor to the Government. I have looked at the minutes of NPHET and the report was not on the agenda for discussion or minuted as having been discussed, notwithstanding the fact that Professor Ferguson is the chief scientific advisor to the Government and chaired a panel of experts. Is it correct to say...

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

Michael McNamara: I ask Dr. Holohan, as chair of NPHET, to confirm whether it was discussed.

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

Michael McNamara: So it was not discussed. I thank Dr. Holohan.

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

Michael McNamara: It was not discussed. Okay. The witnesses collectively stated that there is a paucity of reports pointing to the efficacy of antigen testing in the real world. The Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety has put forward a list of agreed antigen tests. That has been approved by the health security committee of the European Union.

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

Michael McNamara: That committee is comprised of ministries of health from across the European Union. Is Dr. Holohan saying they are wrong in the stance they have taken and he is right? That is quite a statement to make, given the composition of the health security committee of the EU.

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

Michael McNamara: Does Dr. Holohan recognise the antigen tests that are included in the annexes to the agreed list of antigen tests published on 19 May?

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

Michael McNamara: I am.

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

Michael McNamara: I ask Professor Keogan to be brief. Will those antigen tests be recognised for entry into Ireland? Professor Keogan said earlier that the validation could not be carried out while the sector is shut down, yet the sector cannot open up without antigen testing because of the cost involved in PCR testing. That is an extraordinary exercise in circular reasoning.

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

Michael McNamara: No, I have a question to ask. Will NPHET recognise the list of antigen tests in the common agreed list provided by the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety and approved by the health security committee on 19 May? That is not a loaded question. First, will NPHET recognise it? Second, will it recognise it for the purpose of travel into the State?

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

Michael McNamara: What happens when we do not get there?

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

Michael McNamara: All right.

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

Michael McNamara: I am talking about the list agreed by the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety of the European Commission, not various countries.

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

Michael McNamara: Please answer the question I asked, not a different question.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jun 2021)

Michael McNamara: 316. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons who have stayed in mandatory hotel quarantine to date; the number of those who have paid for their stay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28261/21]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Vehicle Registration Tax (1 Jul 2021)

Michael McNamara: 205. To ask the Minister for Finance if a vehicle purchased by an organisation (details supplied) to transport persons to medical appointments and hospitals and so on will be included in the exemptions from VRT and VAT available to ambulances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35449/21]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (1 Jul 2021)

Michael McNamara: 254. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the SNA review for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35635/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (1 Jul 2021)

Michael McNamara: 425. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28912/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (1 Jul 2021)

Michael McNamara: 471. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to extend the temporary assistance scheme to support private and voluntary nursing homes with additional costs due to coronavirus Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29178/21]