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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...

Pyrite and Mica Redress Issues: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: I open my contribution by paying tribute to the thousands of homeowners, family members, friends, community activists and community leaders who demonstrated so strongly and positively in Dublin today. I also commend the proposers of the motion, and Sinn Féin for dedicating their Private Members' time to this very important issue. It strikes a chord with any Deputy who represents a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (15 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: 570. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a copy of the briefing notes and recommendations provided to him by his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service towards informing his view on the implementation of the Wild Birds Derogations for the period 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022 will be made available. [30641/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: EU Directives (15 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: 571. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is satisfied that the annual State wide derogation declaration that he signed on 30 April 2021 is compliant with the EU Birds Directive; and if so, if he will provide the legal advice that he relied upon. [30642/21]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (15 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: 1095. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a naturalisation application for a person (details supplied); if she will arrange for them to receive a citizenship application reference number; if she will expedite the return of his or her passport; if she will prioritise the application given its exceptional nature; and if she will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (15 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: 1132. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the up-to-date position with the proposed community based CCTV systems nationwide; if the GDPR issues have been addressed; if she will be announcing a new scheme; if not, if the current scheme will be readvertised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30993/21]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (15 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: 1133. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if grant funding is available for a community wishing to install CCTV community-based schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30994/21]

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: I tabled amendment No. 112 to try to make the board of the agency as strong as possible and as weighted as possible towards people with experience in affordable housing, local authorities and approved housing bodies. I would be interested in hearing the Minister of State's response. This amendment is a pretty reasonable ask and we see no strong reason it should be opposed. In fact, it is...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: I echo what Deputy Ó Broin said. We are going through something similar at the Select Committee on Environment and Climate Action, whereby no amendments are being accepted. It will lead to a bad faith atmosphere when the Bill returns to the Dáil, and that does not need to be the case. Some pride is taken in the strength of Committee Stage when debating legislation in the House...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Land Development Agency Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: I move amendment No. 112: In page 16, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following: “(7) The Minister shall, in appointing the directors of the Board, ensure that— (a) among those directors there is at least one person who is a director or employee of a registered charity engaged in the delivery of social and affordable housing, and (b) one person appointed as a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing for Aviation and Travel Sectors: Discussion (9 Jun 2021)

Duncan Smith: I thank all the witnesses for appearing before the committee. The questions I had have already been asked and answered very effectively. I am at a loss as to why the committee is still making this argument. Such an effective job was done to diminish the efficacy of antigen testing early on in this pandemic. Many people have done good work to push back on that. I believe that our session...