Results 1,141-1,160 of 4,026 for speaker:

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: 209. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to issues surrounding the definition of a sporting event during the current Covid-19 measures (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33983/21]

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: The Wednesday evening slot is fast becoming the guillotine slot. That is something the Business Committee has to do more work on because it is absolutely unsatisfactory. The moving of the debate on the vaccine roll-out to Friday's ghost sitting is totally unsatisfactory given everything that is happening daily and, in particular, what has been announced this afternoon. We dissent in the...

Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021: Second Stage (29 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: I will not take anywhere near 20 minutes, but I have a couple of points to make. Since I am not a member of the joint committee, I was not present for any of the discussions on the Bill. I offer my apologies for that. Regarding what the Minister said about the extension of development plans, the intent is welcome. As a former member of Fingal County Council, where I was honoured to...

Affordable Homes in the Poolbeg Strategic Development Zone: Motion (29 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: I thank the proposers of the motion and Deputy Ó Broin for bringing it to the House today for discussion. The motion does not go for the jugular, as some motions would in this area. That is not a criticism of the motion, it is more a reflection of the complexity of the issue in terms of the lack of development of the Irish Glass Bottle site. That is understood by any group,...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (29 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: 189. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason a company (details supplied) was not granted any funding via the live performance support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34944/21]

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

Duncan Smith: I thank the witnesses for their attendance today. We certainly have a full court press and it has been an interesting meeting so far. It has been a little combative and it did not need to be, but we are where we are. The Department of Health is supporting the development of a collaborative project by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in...

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

Duncan Smith: Has any request been made by the Minister of State in the Department of Transport for such a scheme?

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

Duncan Smith: No request has been made by the Minister for Transport, that the witnesses are aware of, to the Department of Health for a scheme. That is on the Minister and we will take it up with him. With regard to Professor Mark Ferguson's report, as chief scientific adviser to the Government what level of engagement does he have with the Chief Medical Officer or NPHET? Is there a regular ongoing...

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

Duncan Smith: Was his report discussed officially by the committee?

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

Duncan Smith: Yes.

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

Duncan Smith: I understand, and I am happy to hear from Dr. Glynn.

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

Duncan Smith: The Minister did not refer it for specific discussion by NPHET even though the report was more than 50 pages on an issue that was gaining a great deal of coverage and it was compiled by the chief scientific adviser to the Government who also sits on NPHET. NPHET was not advised by the Minister officially to discuss it.

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

Duncan Smith: Professor Mary Horgan, president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, was on "Morning Ireland" this morning. She was quite strong in support of the use of antigen testing as an additional tool, not a substitute or replacement for any other testing methods such as PCR testing. We are again quoting another eminent professor in a senior position. As a committee, we need to be...

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

Duncan Smith: Okay. However, it seems we have different levels of science because we have EU states recognising the utility of antigen tests. Upwards of 36 antigen tests have been recognised by the European Commission as being accepted for EU states. That is one bar of science that must be acceded to by those tests and which has been. What I am hearing in this committee meeting is we have another bar...

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

Duncan Smith: The Chairman is right. Some reference has been made to peer-reviewed journals and now we are talking about the Internet. It has been a bad couple of days for Coca-Cola with Cristiano Ronaldo and now this. This has been quite a potent example and it is quite stunning to be honest. There is always a distrust of people here. If I was asymptomatic and used an antigen test I would want to...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Business of Select Committee
Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: The Minister of State's response is disappointing. Would she be open to further engagement before Report Stage? It sounds like she is open to what we are trying to achieve, at least in spirit. She may view the proposal as a bit rigid. If there was a way she and I could meet while this legislation is being debated and before it is finalised, I would appreciate it as it would improve the...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Business of Select Committee
Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: Yes. I thank the Minister of State.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Business of Select Committee
Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: I will not press this amendment at this stage. We will have further discussions before Report Stage.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Business of Select Committee
Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (17 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: I move amendment No. 8: In page 40, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “Licence Holders Forum Section 58.The Act of 1993 is amended by the insertion of section 14A: “14A.(1)The Irish Aviation Authority shall establish a standing body to serve as the collective statutory collaborative and consultative forum in relation to air safety and its regulation...