Results 2,081-2,100 of 6,504 for speaker:John Lahart

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Indexation of Taxation and Social Protection System: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

John Lahart: If we were to index link State pensions, is there an argument for connecting the taxation system generally in an indexed way for ordinary salaries pre-pension runs? I may not have articulated that well. If we were to index State pensions to the average industrial wage, or whatever else is connected to that, in the economy, is there an argument for indexing taxes for the ordinary individual...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Indexation of Taxation and Social Protection System: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

John Lahart: I get how index-linking State pensions works. How would index-linking tax increases work?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Indexation of Taxation and Social Protection System: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

John Lahart: That wipes out the discretionary element from a political perspective in that the Minister for Finance could not play around with it. We would be fixing it. That would be the political downside. Is that right?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Indexation of Taxation and Social Protection System: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

John Lahart: Could one of the witnesses explain how it would work on indirect tax on, say, a commodity?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Indexation of Taxation and Social Protection System: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

John Lahart: What about VAT?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Indexation of Taxation and Social Protection System: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

John Lahart: I have over-egged the pudding. I might come back in at the end if I am still here.

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

John Lahart: It is good to see the officials again. Before the Chief Medical Officer, CMO, arrived, I was saying that our last session had brought to mind Mark Twain's quote, that "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." We were kind of saying, "Goodbye and thank you", but they are all welcome back. I have five or six reasonably focused questions. First, is this still a pandemic?

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

John Lahart: How far off are we from not using that term?

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

John Lahart: In relation to the previous pandemic on a global scale, which was the Spanish flu, are there any familiar patterns or any correlations there that Dr. Holohan is able to learn from? They were different times.

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

John Lahart: The Taoiseach has favoured the term "evaluation", looking over the past period as opposed to a critical inquiry in the negative sense. I favour that too. There were some popular voices who assisted in the transmission of information and who helped to build up a body of public confidence. The obvious one, I suppose, that comes to mind is Professor Luke O'Neill. It has always intrigued me...

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

John Lahart: The evaluation might probe that a little further. I have always been interested in that. Dr. Holohan will not have time to answer this. I do not want him to answer it but I would like a written response. It will form part of the evaluation. I will not call it a change of mind over antigen tests. By the way, I had an experience over Christmas, and many people did, with a particular...

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

John Lahart: That is okay. I am only saying that it is something I think will form part of the evaluation but I am happy to hear that. I must limit Dr. Glynn to a brief answer on the children's masks because I have one or two other questions. We will talk about it again.

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

John Lahart: I refer to the Taoiseach's comments last Friday week when he specifically said that we need to smile again and "we need to sing again". I have had a specific request from a teacher in Firhouse Community College. When will children be allowed to sing again in school?

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

John Lahart: Does Dr. Holohan see himself being able to give recommendations to schools looking for specific advice on that, whether it is for musicals, drama, choirs and all of that kind of stuff?

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

John Lahart: This is my final question, and I thank Dr. Holohan for his time. I am sorry the time was brief. How would Dr. Holohan characterise NPHET's relationship with politicians over the past two years?

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

John Lahart: I thank the Chief Medical Officer and his team.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion: Cabinet Committees (1 Feb 2022)

John Lahart: 18. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [4725/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (1 Feb 2022)

John Lahart: 103. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the strategies in place to offer mental health supports for primary and secondary students, including access to emotional well-being supports in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4662/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Disadvantaged Status (1 Feb 2022)

John Lahart: 154. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the impact of Covid-19 on retention rates for students and the gap in retention between DEIS and non-DEIS schools; her plans to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4663/22]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Flexible Work Practices (1 Feb 2022)

John Lahart: 192. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to facilitate remote working particularly taking into account the childcare challenges faced by many working parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4375/22]