Results 3,781-3,800 of 6,944 for speaker:Michael McNamara

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

Michael McNamara: I understand that the provisions of a Bill are determined by its Long Title, which, in this case, clearly includes a reference to amending the Health Act 1947. If the purpose of the Bill includes amending that Act and my amendment concerns an amendment to the Act, it would seem to me to be in order.

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

Michael McNamara: Yes, I will move on. The purpose of this Bill, as almost everybody accepts, is to introduce certain draconian provisions. The Minister said it would be impracticable to have to bring in new legislation repeatedly in the circumstances of a global pandemic. However, her party leader, the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, has pointed out that Ireland is...

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

Michael McNamara: It would be tens of thousands of euro wasted.

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

Michael McNamara: Further to what Deputy Healy-Rae was saying, my understanding, if I am not incorrect about what Deputy Howlin is proposing, is that if a pub is closed for a day, it would not be conclusive that it was correct to close it for a day. Moreover, if that is being used against a publican in subsequent legal proceedings, for example, when he is renewing his licence in September, then he can then go...

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

Michael McNamara: I wish to voice my support for the amendment proposed by Deputy Howlin. At this stage we have to ask whether this is really about the risk posed by pubs and bars or moral opprobrium and our disapproval of certain behaviour. It increasingly seems to be about the latter. Along with the entire House I voted to give draconian powers to the Minister for Health in March. I do not regret doing...

Nomination of Member of the Government: Motion (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I wish the incoming Minister, Deputy McConalogue, well in his new role. He and I were first elected to Dáil Éireann on the same day and I wish him the very best in a role which has become something of a boat trip through the Bermuda Triangle in this Dáil. I hope that has come to an end and that Deputy McConalogue will be able to bring some stability to a role that desperately...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I will be brief. I appreciate the pressures of trying to confine a session to two hours. However, the two-hour time limit the committee has afforded itself is not what teachers or students are enjoying and it sets a bad example. I very much appreciate that this decision was not taken at the behest of the Acting Chairman or me. The Dáil will meet this afternoon in the Convention...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I ask the representatives of primary schools to outline briefly what their members are encountering as they return to school.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: We have seen many international studies regarding the detrimental effect on educational progress arising from students being out of the classroom for long periods. While we have not seen anything specific to Ireland, are students where Ms Magner would expect them to be? Are pupils in first class or third class, for example, where she would expect them to be in terms of educational...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I wonder if I could briefly ask Mr. Pike-----

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: -----what SNAs are encountering.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: Perhaps Mr. Pike will reply in writing to me on what his members who are SNAs are encountering in terms of the most disadvantaged students.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: We are back in session for two hours, hopefully. I welcome our witnesses joining us from committee room 2 to review the preparations for the reopening of our schools and how the reopening is operating in practice: Ms Lorraine Dempsey and Mr. Mark O'Connor, Inclusion Ireland; Ms Áine Lynch, chief executive officer, CEO, and Ms Clare Downey, manager of early years services, National...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I invite Ms Lynch to make a statement on behalf of the National Parents Council Primary and ask her to confine her statement to five minutes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I thank Ms Lynch for her presentation and for staying within the five minutes. I invite Ms Fanning to make her opening statement. Again, I ask her to confine her remarks to five minutes. Ms Mai Fanning:The National Parents Council Post Primary is grateful for this opportunity. The mental and physical well-being of our children has always been and remains the main focus of concern for...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I now open the floor to Deputies for questioning and statements. The first speaker is from Fianna Fáil, Deputy Devlin.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: There seems to be an issue with the sound from the committee room. I ask that the Deputy speak more loudly or move closer to the microphone.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: I am sorry but the Deputy's time is up. The next speaker is Deputy Colm Burke who has five minutes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: Thank you Ms Lynch and Deputy Ó Laoghaire. I will move onto the next speaker. Deputy Carroll MacNeill will take five minutes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Review of the Reopening of Schools (Resumed) (2 Sep 2020)

Michael McNamara: The Deputy is only supposed to have ten minutes in the first slot but she can come in again.