Results 1,981-2,000 of 2,078 for speaker:Richard O'Donoghue

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (9 Sep 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: How do we support settled communities in our schools? I will give a few facts about schools. In our area, children who have not isolated after having returned from abroad are presenting at school. They are expected to go into pods with other children who have been isolated with their families since March. Where is the sense in that in our fight against Covid? Children are presenting to...

Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020: Motion [Private Members] (9 Sep 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I call on Dáil Éireann to annul the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020, SI No. 326 of 2020 because of the restrictions on events in private dwellings and hotels. Throughout the country, the hotel industry showed resilience and the reopening was phenomenal. What the hotels did for staycation holiday makers was unbelievable....

Gnó Comhaltaí Príobháideacha - Private Members' Business - Cancer Screening: Motion [Private Members] (8 Sep 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I welcome this timely motion. Well done to Sinn Féin for bringing it forward. I acknowledge 100% the priority given to the most urgent cases of cancer during the pandemic and the efforts that were made by the health services throughout the country. At the end of February this year, cancer hit our family. I cannot thank the HSE and all the people in the cancer services enough for what...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (8 Sep 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 926. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the programme that would allow undocumented migrants to apply to regularise their status; her plans to roll out same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21630/20]

Back to School, Further and Higher Education and Special Education: Statements (3 Sep 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I wish the Minister well in her brief and compliment her on getting the schools open. Even though there are a lot of issues to deal with, I believe she will work to resolve them. The issue I wish to raise is the fact that Bus Éireann's school transport application system has been closed for the past four weeks. When parents tried to book their children in for transport in early...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Sep 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I also commend Deputy Howlin on bringing this amendment to the House and the language should be taken out of the Bill. I have listened to the debate involving many Deputies in the House today who have made great contributions. I also listened to Deputy Bruton, who could sum it all up in two or three minutes by telling us what he thinks will happen. We must have a reality check for...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (2 Sep 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I am taking the slot that was to be given to Deputy Michael Collins.

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (2 Sep 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: No. Deputy Mattie McGrath will be in as well. We are discussing the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020 and a lack of understanding from the Government has brought us to debating this emergency legislation. If the Government had done what we asked it to do at the very start, which was to separate wet pubs from nightclubs, we would not have the problem that it is...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Enterprise Support Services (30 Jul 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 762. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when he will announce the release date of the enterprise support grant for businesses impacted by Covid-19. [19907/20]

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jul 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I congratulate the Minister on his new position and welcome the stimulus package, even though it does not cover everything that I need. It is to be hoped amendments can be introduced so that it can work for all of the people in Ireland. Publicans were told that they could open two weeks ago. They stocked their bars and sanitised their pubs in preparation for opening. The Government...

Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020: Second Stage (28 Jul 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I congratulate the Minister on his appointment and look forward to working with him in the future. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have looked to Departments to show leadership and guidance to the public but they have not done so. Clear and concise instructions need to be given and some parts of this Bill require clarification. For example, tenants who have taken pay cuts across the board...

Ministers and Secretaries and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: This legislation will create a new Department with responsibility for further and higher education, research, innovation and science. From a rural perspective, the support it would provide is vital in assisting not only the promotion of study in sustainable agriculture but the transition of rural students into highly populated university campuses and further research academies. The social...

Covid-19 (Health): Statements (24 Jul 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on her appointment. She has made history and yesterday was a great day for women and for the House as she is the first woman ever to have been elected to the position. When GPs refer people for swabbing and they do not turn up, what can be done? Should penalties be put in place? When people are supposed to turn up for a swabbing but do not so,...

Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Jul 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I thank the Cathaoirleach. We are discussing children up to the age of 13 having access to GP and surgical services free of charge. I welcome this. I am sure it is greatly needed, but are we ready for it? I will share a number of conversations with the House. I have a lady in my constituency who has two children who have a complex need and have received cancellations for blood tests...

Revised Estimates for Public Services 2020 (23 Jul 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 3 o’clock Restaurants, pubs and hotels are calling for the continuation of the temporary wage subsidy scheme to be able to keep staff employed over the autumn and winter lean period. I am sure it is more important to have people working than unemployed. They are also calling for a reduction of VAT to a minimum of 9% and refer to Northern Ireland, where it is at 5%. Will the...

Debenhams Ireland Redundancies: Motion [Private Members] (22 Jul 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: When I grew up in Limerick, at the time Roches Stores had a unit there. I remember as a young lad that the first escalator in Limerick was in Roches Stores. It was a treat to go in and to go up and down this escalator, as it was the first one. Roches Stores ceased business and Debenhams took over. Debenhams workers, some of whom were also Roches Stores workers, had as much as 40 years of...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (22 Jul 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: As noted at the European Council meeting, in addition to the €1.824 trillion approved by the EU, there is €5 billion in the Brexit reserve. It is earmarked for unforeseen consequences in the most affected member states and sectors. Surely this will be passed on to Ireland. I hope that this matter is being examined by our MEPs in addition to what is required to meet the Covid...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jul 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I agree with everything the Taoiseach said but the best way forward in respect of this matter is to take an all-island approach. There should be a link to the passport number of anyone leaving this country by air or by ferry. This is the fastest way to police matters. Using the passport system to police the pandemic is the fastest way to track anyone leaving the country or coming into it....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Jul 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: In the programme for Government, I highlight the section on building stronger and safer communities on page 84. It states: Community safety is at the heart of the ongoing transformation of An Garda Síochána. The new Government will ensure that this will be a key part of our social contract with citizens. An Garda Síochána is enriched by its resilient links in the areas...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation (22 Jul 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 189. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the construction works on the new refurbishment of Limerick Prison. [17695/20]