Results 1-20 of 441 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Matt Shanahan

Taoiseach a Ainmniú - Nomination of Taoiseach (20 Feb 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I congratulate you, a Cheann Comhairle, on your re-election. I was elected to represent the constituency of Waterford. I also represent the people of the south-east region. I will not be supporting the nomination of a Taoiseach tonight as a protest against the fact that the south east and Waterford suffers significant discrimination in the provision of cardiac services at University...

European Council Meeting: Statements (5 Mar 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I acknowledge the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Ireland in recent days and thank them for continuing to build on the friendship between our two countries. The warmth and generosity of spirit being shown to them by the Irish people is appropriate and underlines the close relationship our two islands share. I am sure they are aware of the economic relationships between the UK...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Apr 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I also support the business of the Dáil to continue. It is very important that we should remember we are asking front-line health people to go in to work in the most arduous of circumstances to continue their duty. I do not think it is fair that any Member of this House should be cocooning at home. People need to remember that Teachta Dála means "messenger of the people". We...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (2 Apr 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I am sharing time with Deputy Verona Murphy. I would also like to express our sincere condolences with the families that have been bereaved as a result of Covid-19 and I express our solidarity with people who are attending hospital. Public representatives have both a duty and a responsibility to represent the needs of constituents when national policy is being discussed. On the...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I begin by expressing my condolences to all families who have been recently bereaved because of Covid-19. A heavy price continues to be exacted on our population. Also, on behalf of the Regional Group of Independents, I applaud the efforts of our national medical and clinical care staff and wish a full and speedy recovery to those diagnosed in hospital or home care settings at present. ...

Health (Covid-19): Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I also ask the Minister to put pressure on for the development of our second cath lab in order that we advance it to a construction tender. It has been lying around for quite a number of months.

Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements (6 May 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I will speak and then raise some issues and ask the Minister of State to respond at the finish. On behalf of the Regional Group, I wish to continue to extend sincere condolences to the families and relatives of those recently bereaved because of Covid-19. We offer solidarity for those in recovery. I congratulate our wonderful healthcare workers for their efforts. Our continuing debt of...

Covid-19 (Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht): Statements (14 May 2020)

Matt Shanahan: While we are here again this evening, I acknowledge that families are bereaved and family members are suffering. We again thank our healthcare workers who are doing so much during these very difficult times. When we talk of the arts in Ireland, we are speaking of some of the central foundations of our culture, our Irishness, and the historic and contemporary creative spirit that has...

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

Matt Shanahan: I acknowledge the continuing impact of Covid-19 on our most vulnerable. Our debt of gratitude to our front-line and community healthcare workers grows ever greater. I want to update the House on some people from Waterford who are supporting our national efforts to overcome the many challenges the coronavirus epidemic is presenting every day. I thank Commandant Dr. Patrick Kelly of the...

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

Matt Shanahan: I thank the Taoiseach for those comments. Rather than asking his Department to project-manage this, if the Taoiseach could release the funding, that would speed up the whole process immeasurably.

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

Matt Shanahan: We offer our condolences to family members who have been bereaved by Covid-19 and again give thanks to front-line healthcare workers and all those in the healthcare sector who are doing so much at this very difficult time. On 24 April in this House, the Minister expressed to me his wish to see the second Waterford cardiac cath lab built, with a construction tender to be awarded as soon as...

Covid-19 (Rural and Community Development): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I am deputising for a colleague at short notice so I apologise in advance if I am not fully au faitwith the Minister's brief. Regarding the town and village renewal scheme, I think everybody would agree that it is a great opportunity to develop towns and cities, but I wonder about the idea of drawing up the strategic plans around it, particularly for community groups. Has the Minister's...

Covid-19 (Rural and Community Development): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Matt Shanahan: In terms of outdoor recreational infrastructure, I think the specific brief is around cycleways and walkways. I may be on the wrong track but I am also thinking of waterways. We had two initiatives in Waterford, one on a blueway and another on amalgamating old houses and river walks. This is an area for future tourism development throughout the country around which a separate initiative...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I wish to start by expressing revulsion on behalf of the Regional Independents Group at the death of George Floyd as a result of police brutality. I agree with the Tánaiste's comments to the effect that we must look at our record of racism in this country. I thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our ambassador to the United States, Mr. Dan Mulhall, for their...

July Education Programme: Statements (10 Jun 2020)

Matt Shanahan: These past weeks and months have shown the best attributes of the Irish people and demonstrated beyond doubt that we are a caring and empathetic nation. From the first incidences of Covid-19, front-line staff across the country took on the challenge of doing all in their power to preserve well-being, while supporting industries ensured the continuation of our supply and distribution chains...

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Matt Shanahan: An additional eight people have been recorded as having passed due to Covid-19 so, as good as we are going and despite the progress we feel we have made through the lockdown, we must stay as vigilant as ever. Again, we thank our health services. Covid-19 has presented significant challenges to many sectors but the Minister's portfolio of transport, tourism and sport is seeing especially...

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Matt Shanahan: It is part of the Minister's brief.

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Matt Shanahan: Before I get off the subject of transport, could I ask the Minister a couple of other questions on it? Will he consider supporting a VAT rate of 0% for the private bus and coach operators? I am aware that he has been lobbied on this. There is a VAT anomaly in respect of Northern Ireland, as he probably knows. He should give the operators a level playing field and allow them to have some...

Covid-19 (Sport): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Matt Shanahan: An advisory council-----

Emergency Bed Capacity: Statements (24 Jun 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I note the very sad passing of Detective Colm Horkan and send condolences, on behalf of the Regional Group, to his family and the families of victims of Covid. As we appear to be exiting this crisis, we may well be heading into another. In this present respite, we have yet to address the expected winter surge and the possible re-emergence of Covid-19, mindful of the reduction in bed...