Results 40,701-40,720 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

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

Stephen Donnelly: I will revert to the Deputy in more detail. The very short answer is that there can be no double standards. There cannot be one level of health and safety for us and another for the nation's children and school workers.

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

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Deputy for her questions. I am looking to see what led to this 7% level. I do not believe it is acceptable. Deputy Shortall also believes it is unacceptable. There are several things happening. The number of people who are going to be tasked with following up on this is going to be significantly increased. It is not going to be the Department of Health but the Department of...

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

Stephen Donnelly: With regard to the second question, the Deputy asked me the same question again. I have answered the question. My answer is exactly what it was five minutes ago. With regard-----

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

Stephen Donnelly: I have answered the question.

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

Stephen Donnelly: I did. The Deputy may not like the answer but I have answered it.

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

Stephen Donnelly: I agree and I have comprehensively answered the question. I told the Deputy exactly what I will be doing. The answer to the same question is as it was when she asked it the first time. With regard to the Department of Justice and Equality, the Deputy keeps on stating my Department is taking over the follow-up. It is not. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is taking over the...

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

Stephen Donnelly: It is true.

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

Stephen Donnelly: I thank Deputy Nash for his questions and, while I acknowledge that he is stepping in for his party leader today, for his ongoing work on a lot of these issues. On the flu vaccine, I will ask for a detailed response to be sent to the Deputy. I have a detailed note here but if I give it now it would take up all the time. Essentially, the advice from the national immunisation advisory...

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

Stephen Donnelly: Early next week. I will get the remaining information to the Deputy in writing.

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

Stephen Donnelly: No problem. That is fine. I will revert in writing on the rest.

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

Stephen Donnelly: The expert report is coming next week. I have not seen it but understand it has a long list of recommendations. The first focus has to be on making sure that the nursing homes are protected. The public health officials are saying, based on how they see this disease work around the world, that we will have a second surge. We hope that it will be low and that it will be localised...

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

Stephen Donnelly: With the transition of any Government, there is going to be a period of time-----

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

Stephen Donnelly: -----where there has to be transition. I will finish right on this, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

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

Stephen Donnelly: This will be my final sentence, if I may.

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

Stephen Donnelly: I promise the House that the briefings that were provided and the access to the HSE and public health officials are going to be recommenced. They stopped over the past number of weeks and I want to get them going again as quickly possible.

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

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Deputy for those questions. On capacity, I agree 100% with the Deputy. We are in the middle of a very comprehensive planning exercise to bring in a winter plan unlike any that has been seen before. I agree fully with the Deputy that before Covid-19 arrived here, we had the longest waiting list anywhere in Europe, the lowest number of consultants, the second lowest number of...

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

Stephen Donnelly: My warmest congratulations to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on her election. I have no doubt she will serve the office proudly. I am more than happy to do the question-and-answer session in whatever way works for Deputies, be that in taking questions and answers together or responding to all questions at the end of a contribution. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on Covid-19...

Seanad: Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Jul 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: Before I speak on the Bill, I wish to say what a great honour it is to be here in the Seanad. I am sorry that we are all moonlighting in the Dáil Chamber but I am very much looking forward to stepping into the hallowed grounds of Ireland's Upper House at some point. It is a huge honour and privilege to hold the office and to be here with Senators today to debate this Bill. Thank you...

Seanad: Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Jul 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I will give my concluding speech but I have taken pages of notes from which I will try to pull some of the big themes, if the Cathaoirleach agrees.

Seanad: Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020: Second Stage (24 Jul 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: Excellent. I thank the Senators for their valuable contributions. I have taken many notes, as have my officials. It has been a thoughtful and important debate, both on the Bill before us and on the issues surrounding the Bill. The Senators' keen support and observations are very helpful, and we will keep them in mind. As Senator Higgins said, it would have been nice to have had input...