Results 4,741-4,760 of 6,944 for speaker:Michael McNamara

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: I have a final question. I am very much minded by what Deputy Matthews said, namely, that we need to hear the voices of students, particularly in the context of the question I am about to ask now. On the leaving certificate, Mr. Rolston stated that second level education is about preparing students for third level and for entry to the workplace. I agree with him that that is very much the...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: What I am hearing is that there is an equivocal confidence in the fairness of it but it is-----

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: That is what I thought I heard. Does Mr. Rolston believe there is uniform confidence in it?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: Will we ever see a leaving certificate based on rote learning again or have the floodgates opened? Will there now be some scope for continuous assessment as in the A-level system in the United Kingdom? There are many countries where examination systems are not based on the ability to spew out information that has been learned by rote on a given morning and which determines students'...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: Will we see a leaving certificate based solely on rote learning again? Will the system in 2021 or 2022 be the same as the leaving certificate people sat in 2019?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: I have one last question. I am very conscious of time. Back-to-school expenses have traditionally revolved around schoolbooks, school uniforms, school shoes etc. This year the requirements are very different and include IT subscriptions and hardware. I was a Government backbencher when there was no funding and I am very aware that finances are always limited. Subject to funding, however,...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: We have gone slightly over time. I thank the witnesses for their time and for answering my questions and those of all the committee members.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: We are joined this afternoon by representatives from the Teachers Union of Ireland, TUI, the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, ASTI, and the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO. I would like to welcome, from the TUI, Mr. John MacGabhann, general secretary, and Mr. Martin Marjoram, president. I also welcome Mr. Kieran Christie, general secretary, and Ms Deirdre MacDonald,...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: I ask the witness to conclude.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: I thank Mr. MacGabhann. I call Mr. Christie and ask him to limit his opening remarks to five minutes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: Mr. Boyle said at the beginning that the health and safety of students, union members and everyone else who works in schools are of the utmost concern. The INTO is an all-island body. Is there much difference between the regime the union will have to work under in this State, as has been elucidated, and that in Northern Ireland? Is the union happy there is no difference between what has...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Impact of Covid-19: Education – Return to School and School Transport (2 Jul 2020)

Michael McNamara: Pardon my ignorance, but I do not know whether the TUI and ASTI are all-Ireland bodies. I know the position on the INTO. What are the differences in the social distancing regimes envisaged for students and the differences that are to apply to different ages? It would seem a little strange if something were required to keep us safe in Monaghan while, a mile up the road in Fermanagh,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Procedures (30 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: 384. To ask the Minister for Health when elective surgery will resume at University Hospital Galway for a person (details supplied) who is currently awaiting a procedure which has time constraints for optimum outcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12742/20]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Grants (30 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: 582. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a response to a broadleaf forestry grant and licence application that was submitted in October 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12849/20]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (30 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: 845. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive payment for four weeks of arrears for the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13281/20]

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: The committee has been notified that Deputies Ó Cuív, Niamh Smyth, Catherine Murphy, Gannon, O'Rourke, Munster, Ó Snodaigh, Clarke, Boyd Barrett, Paul Murphy and Matthews will substitute for party colleagues today. I congratulate Deputies Stephen Donnelly and Norma Foley on their appointments to the Government. Both Deputies were active members of this committee and we wish...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: Yes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: That is a reasonable proposal. I would have thought that the committee should have a further session on that particular topic. I agree that we should write to those witnesses in advance.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: Is that agreed? Agreed. That issue apart, are the minutes agreed?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (30 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: I thank Deputies. I will take the 19 items of correspondence received as noted. Is that agreed? Agreed. Following the meeting of the working group last Friday, and based on advice, the Dáil will be meeting in the Chamber as normal from next week. It was agreed that the committee will meet for two sessions on Tuesday mornings and three sessions on Fridays from next week.