Results 5,021-5,040 of 6,821 for speaker:Seán Kyne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Covid-19 and Easing of Restrictions: Discussion (2 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: I welcome our guests and thank them for the work they have done on our behalf in recent years. In the context of the work that is going on, obviously the elderly are particularly vulnerable to Covid. I refer to the importance of the vaccination programme and booster campaign for the elderly. In the context of flu, which is of particular concern every winter, what lessons can we learn and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Covid-19 and Easing of Restrictions: Discussion (2 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: I thank Dr. Holohan. The COVAX facility has received surplus from this country and other countries for distribution in developing countries. If another variant or threat arises, is it likely to occur in a country with a low vaccination rate at present? Is that further evidence of the importance of the COVAX facility and assisting countries with low vaccination rates?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Covid-19 and Easing of Restrictions: Discussion (2 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: Denmark today removed all restrictions. That decision was publicised, so I am sure there will be demands or views expressed by the general population that we should follow suit. What is the likelihood of other countries in Europe following suit in the coming week or weeks? When is it likely that NPHET will consider all remaining restrictions? This issue was touched on earlier. What is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Covid-19 and Easing of Restrictions: Discussion (2 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: Dr. Holohan stated in his opening remarks that, "we must remain vigilant and ensure that our response is agile and flexible, with an ability to respond rapidly and appropriately to any emerging threat". Is NPHET, as a body, staying in situ in terms of monitoring and advising the Government for the foreseeable future in respect of any future threats?

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: I welcome the Minister of State and the publication of the Bill. "Miscellaneous provisions" allows for a number of things being included under the same Title. It is something of a pity because the central provision of the Bill, the ban on fur farming, is worthy enough of its own Bill with its own Title included but I understand the decision. I served in the Department of the Gaeltacht...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pension Provisions (9 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for selecting this Commencement matter. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, particularly as I am raising a west of Ireland issue, the Saolta Hospital Group, although it may be something that is relevant to other hospital groups as well. I am not sure about that. We all appreciate and accept the sacrifices that front-line healthcare workers...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pension Provisions (9 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: I thank the Minister of State for her official reply and also her frankness on this issue. It is not good enough and I think she will accept that. She has admitted it is not good enough. Why is it happening in the HSE? Is it not happening in any other organisation? Is it happening in the Department of Education, for example? I have not heard that it is. Yes, there was a cyberattack....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Pension Provisions (9 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: I am sure Mr. Watt knows what his pension entitlements are.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: I too would like to raise the issue of the Galway city ring road. I have supported this project and its precursor, the Galway city bypass, for all of my political career. It is regrettable that two judicial reviews have been lodged as of now, with perhaps more to come. The one from Galway city race committee makes clear that the committee supports the road but has issues with the planning...

Seanad: Uyghur Tribunal: Motion (9 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: I took the Order of Business the day Senator McDowell raised this issue before Christmas. I saw the motion on the Order Paper and suggested in good faith that we have a fuller debate because I had not seen light of or, indeed, read the report, and I was sure other Members had not seen it either.I thank Senator McDowell for providing a copy of the report. I am not clear from the report when...

Seanad: Uyghur Tribunal: Motion (9 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: The language and the descriptions used in the report are graphic and upsetting. We rightly acknowledge and commemorate the anniversary of the Holocaust and we read in our history books all that has happened throughout the world in different places. In our own living memory, we know what happened in the Balkans. We can look back on some of the documentaries, including "The Death of...

Seanad: Uyghur Tribunal: Motion (9 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: No, but they would have presented advice to the Minister and in memos. It is safe to say that in my time as a Minister of State, I never wrote a memo that came to Cabinet. They are presented to Ministers and the Cabinet and agreed. Somebody wrote the memos presented to the Cabinet and it is regrettable it was not able to accept the findings and the motion put down by Senator McDowell.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Home Care: Discussion (9 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: I thank Mr. Donnelly, Ms Keogh and Mr. Ginley for their presentations, and I acknowledge the important contribution that healthcare support aids and other staff within the network have provided during Covid and, indeed, provide at all times. We all have experience within our families of the important and valuable work home helps provide. My first question is directed to Mr. Donnelly or Ms...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Home Care: Discussion (9 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: On developing a career pathway, which Mr. Donnelly mentioned, is there a role for better options at higher and further education level or is the pay and conditions issue the main stumbling block and barrier in employing home helps? As is the case in other jobs, such as teachers or crèche workers, it is predominantly female staff who are working as home helps, although not exclusively...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Home Care: Discussion (9 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: Would Mr. Donnelly or Ms Keogh like to comment on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Home Care: Discussion (9 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: Is there flexibility at present for those who do not want full hours and want to work fewer hours, as part-time job, be it due to age or burnout? Can they make the decision to work part-time hours? I assume the system accommodates that because it would make perfect sense.

Seanad: Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to the Chamber. I welcome the Bill before us, which relates to the cost of living and energy costs for Irish householders. It will have a hugely beneficial and real immediate impact once it can be processed.The electricity cost emergency benefit scheme is welcome. A sum of €100 was announced before Christmas, which is to be amended to...

Seanad: Report of Joint Committee on the Carbon Budget: Motion (15 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: Tomorrow morning at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Fire Stations (16 Feb 2022)

Seán Kyne: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for attending. I acknowledge the important and life-saving role carried out by our fire personnel in Galway city and county, and across the country. Whether it involves fires, road traffic accidents or river rescues, it is vital life-saving work and sometimes, unfortunately, recovery. I know that fire personnel see some harrowing scenes in...