Results 4,341-4,360 of 6,944 for speaker:Michael McNamara

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: Does the definition Dr. Sisson just gave reflect what Dr. Cuddihy meant when he said Ireland had a different definition of healthcare workers from other countries? I was struck by that comment earlier.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: Do we know what determines who contracts Covid-19 and who does not contract it? Two people can have the same exposure, and one may contract it while the other may not. Does fatigue and being run down play a role in viruses generally and in this virus, to the extent that we have information about this virus?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: Does Dr. Kelleher think that that tendency of Irish healthcare workers to come into work, sick or not, because of the sense of duty they have to their patients has been overly relied on by the HSE in calculating staffing ratios and staffing numbers required?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: I thank Dr. Kelleher. We have had a number of campaigns in relatively recent years about this. I was previously a TD from 2011 to 2016 and during that time there was a campaign by the younger doctors' division of the IMO, which I think was called "24 No More", and nothing happened. I was contacted by an Irish GP trainee who posted on social media and I think I was tagged in it. She said:...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: Earlier, Dr. Kelleher mentioned absenteeism during the flu season. Perhaps that rate of absenteeism needs to be greater. Typically, what percentage of the Irish population gets the flu and how many people are hospitalised for it during the flu season?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: Is Dr. Kelleher saying that 5,000 or 6,000 people could have the flu in any given week?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: On the issue of a robust immunisation campaign, Mr. McCallion came before the committee last Friday and he told us there is to be a ramping up of the immunisation campaign, and that there will be free immunisation of children aged between two and 12 years. Earlier, Dr. Kelleher mentioned children being super spreaders. In any event, there will be free vaccinations for children aged between...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: Does Dr. Kelleher have a view he would care to proffer on the advantage or otherwise of a generalised vaccination programme?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: I have to say I am somewhat surprised when I look at the WHO guidance on wearing masks, which is, of course, that masks should be worn in a medical setting, particularly when dealing with persons with Covid-19. Its advice on masks in the general population is still equivocal.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: We had two members of NPHET before the committee on, I understand, 9 June. Their advice at the time was equivocal, but the advice in Ireland has changed since and masks are now mandatory in a public transport or any confined transport setting and their wearing is advised in indoor settings. Why is the advice of the WHO still so equivocal?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: Dr. Kelleher is heading up the expert advisory group on nursing homes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: My apologies.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: My apologies. I wanted to ask when the report was likely to be published. I know it is an independent group.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: Having clarified that, I thank all of the witnesses for coming before the committee today and answering all of our questions. As nobody else is looking to come in, I will adjourn the meeting. We will meet again in private session on Thursday to consider a report on Covid-19 in nursing homes and the State's response.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: People with Disabilities (17 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: I advise our guests that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: People with Disabilities (17 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: I call Mr. Egan to make his opening remarks and I ask him also to confine them to five minutes. I have just learned that the Seanad Chamber does not have clock whereas there is a clock in the committee room. I ask Mr. Egan to adhere to the five minutes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: People with Disabilities (17 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: I ask Mr. Egan to conclude to allow us to hear from other contributors and ensure everyone gets some time.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: People with Disabilities (17 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: I invite Dr. Conaty, acting chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, to make his introductory remarks. I ask him to confine his contribution to five minutes to allow time for questions and answers.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: People with Disabilities (17 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: I thank Dr. Conaty. I am sorry, members, that it is difficult to hear our witnesses in the committee room. It is the first time that we have sat here in the Seanad Chamber. I ask that our witnesses speak a little louder than they normally would because we apparently cannot do anything to change the sound levels until after this session.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: People with Disabilities (17 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: I must bring in the next speaker if we are to give everybody equal time. Perhaps Mr. Egan could continue his reply in writing. I am sorry but we have a two-hour session and I cannot add to it, unfortunately. I will move on to the next speaker. It is an important issue so I would appreciate it if Mr. Egan would continue his reply in writing. The next speaker is from Sinn Féin....