Results 4,861-4,880 of 6,944 for speaker:Michael McNamara

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Testing and Tracing (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: Dr. Henry will deal with them in writing. I have two brief questions and Deputy Boyd Barrett also has a question. There was a great deal of information provided by the CSO recently, although it was obviously retrospective, on geography, gender, socioeconomic background, occupation, age and so forth of people who had tested positive and people who unfortunately died. I take it that would be...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Testing and Tracing (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: Would it be useful to receive that information on an ongoing basis?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Testing and Tracing (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: Will NPHET and the HSE be providing that information on an ongoing basis rather than retrospectively?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Testing and Tracing (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: Was the HSE eventually able to trace all contacts of those who tested positive in the meat factories or are there ongoing difficulties?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Testing and Tracing (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: Will Deputy Boyd Barrett ask his second question? I am just conscious that we will have to get people out.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Testing and Tracing (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: I thank the Deputy. I will allow time for an answer.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Testing and Tracing (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: We are out of time. A question I still have is one to which I do not expect an answer today. It is about whether we can expect the public to lock down again in circumstances where it is a question of assessing our economic response - it is a horrible question - having regard to the fact that 99.5% of the people who died of Covid-19 had underlying conditions or were over 65. The question is...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: I welcome our guests from Inclusion Ireland in committee room 1. They are Ms Lorraine Dempsey, chairperson; Mr. Enda Egan, chief executive officer; and Mr. Mark O'Connor, community engagement manager. I wish to 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...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: I thank Mr. Egan very much. I will now open the floor to Deputies for questions. I call Deputy Butler. She has ten minutes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: I call Deputy Carroll MacNeill who she has ten minutes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: I completely agree with where the Deputy is going but I remind him that this session is specifically about the response to Covid-19, rather than the broader issue of services for children with additional needs.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: I am not seeking to take away from the valid points the Deputy is making in that regard.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: Can I be heard in committee room 1? I take the silence as a "No". Hopefully, we will be able to resolve that. In the meantime, I call Deputy Shanahan. Hopefully, he can be heard in committee room 1.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: I am afraid we have to move on to the next speaker. I call Deputy Collins.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: Can Ms Dempsey hear me properly in the committee room?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: Thank you. I will move to the next speaker. Deputy Michael Collins can speak again later. Deputy Foley has ten minutes.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: Obviously, this period has been very difficult for everybody. Businesses have lost money, but they will be able to make that money back in the future. People have put on weight, but they will be able to lose it. However, some children are not just failing to develop - they are regressing. My daughter was born recently and it is amazing to watch her develop. I cannot imagine what it must...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Needs Education: Impact of Covid-19 (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: I do not know what to say in response. As a State, we do need to say something. We need to be aware of the impact that the curtailment of services is having on the most vulnerable and I cannot put it further than that. I thank the witnesses for coming in today and for sharing their experience and knowledge with us.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Educational Needs: Impact of Covid-19 (Resumed) (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: I have hay fever or an allergy. My question specifically relates to the Department of Education and Skills. What criteria must be met in order to have a full reopening of schools in September? Parents need to know whether they will need a childminder for one, two or five days per week.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Special Educational Needs: Impact of Covid-19 (Resumed) (25 Jun 2020)

Michael McNamara: I know that, but obviously certain criteria must be met. What are they? We are told that the decision will be based on science and that it will not be a question of reading the tea leaves or of what is politically expedient. What are the criteria?