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Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (26 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: Testing in meat plants, schools and direct provision centres has been referenced and I thank the witnesses for their answers. Have there been further discussions with the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, on testing at our airports?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (26 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: I thank Mr. Reid.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: I thank Dr. Glynn and Professor Nolan for coming today, but also for all the work they are doing day in, day out to try to keep the country safe. It is very much appreciated. They have the toughest job in the country and it is not going unnoticed. My first question is to Dr. Glynn. I have been in regular communication with my colleague, Senator Wall, and, indeed, residents from Kildare....

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: I thank Dr. Glynn. As Dr. Glynn stated recently, and as Mr. Paul Reid said in the first session this morning, we will be living with this virus for a time to come and we will have to come to terms with how we will deal with that. What work is NPHET doing in relation to the restrictions on air travel at present? I speak as someone who represents a constituency with many airport workers who...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: I and others have made calls over the last months for testing at airports and ports. If this was to be implemented would it be useful in any way in changing the advice or is a person just as well getting a test at a local test centre as opposed to the airport?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: I have just one more question, if I can squeeze it in. Is NPHET aware of, or does it have any understanding of, the worries of many pregnant women around the public health advice and messaging for Covid-19 and its impact on women in pregnancy?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: I thank the witnesses.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: I am perplexed as to what is happening in this session. When we asked the Minister to come to the committee a few weeks ago, he was unable to do so. He is here now. I am not sure if he is aware of this but he is the main event today, not just for the committee but for the people of Ireland who want to see a plan and some certainty. The committee received a three-page opening statement,...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: State Response to Recent Spike in Covid-19 Cases (Resumed) (26 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: The budget is in six or seven weeks. The pandemic is happening now, and the Minister has been mentioning this roadmap for weeks. The schools are back today. I am not here just to make a scene. I am genuinely worried and perplexed as to why we do not have more detail. I am genuine about this issue and this is not for show.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: I will direct my first questions to Mr. Ennis. I have a couple of short questions and a slightly longer one. Is Mr. Ennis aware of employers in any meat plant assisting staff in availing of alternative travel arrangements other than carpooling?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: Is Mr. Ennis aware of any employers assisting staff in accessing medical services such as GP services if they have had difficulty in doing so? Has any information been given?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: With regard to accommodation, is Mr. Ennis aware of any employers who have assisted their staff in avoiding hot-bedding to keep them safe?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: Absolutely. Mr. Ennis's answers to those short questions have backed up my worst fears with regard to employers' responsibilities towards their staff. Will Mr. Ennis explain why it is important that inspections are unannounced? It would be very helpful if he would explain that in more detail.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: Absolutely. Is Mr. Ennis getting feedback from the floor that, when it is announced that inspectors are coming, there is tidying-up and preparation?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: I thank Ms King. I am out of time.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: There are 250 veterinary and technical staff in the Department who have a regular workplace presence in meat plants, including 49 premises where there is a permanent presence. At any stage over the course of this pandemic, particularly over the past couple of months, have any of Mr. Sheahan's staff chosen not to turn up to work at a meat plant due to fears for their own safety?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: Have any the staff reported concerns to Mr. Sheahan?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: Can he quantify that in any way? Are there emails?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: Is Mr Sheahan confident the advice he gave his staff complemented the advice given to other staff working directly for the employer or through an agency in those meat plants? I ask this because even in the Leinster House complex where people have different employers or work at different grades, everyone adheres to similar public health measures because we all share the same space. We are...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: The Situation in Meat Processing Plants (13 Aug 2020)

Duncan Smith: In that case, Mr. Sheahan is satisfied that every measure has been taken by the owners of the meat plants. Given that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has a permanent presence in 49 plants, it has a greater presence in these workplaces than the HSA has. It is, therefore, the voice and presence of the State in these plants and when it says everything is okay and it is happy...