Results 5,321-5,340 of 6,944 for speaker:Michael McNamara
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: Every single member of the committee has five minutes, so everyone is equal-----
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: No. The Deputy will have five minutes to speak in this session. If others wish to give him their five minutes or vice versathey can do so, subject to the proviso that nobody speaks for more than ten minutes at a time.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: I appreciate that but if the first speakers-----
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: -----are taking more than five minutes, those who have a slot later will not be reached and that would be quite unfair. We need to make sure every member of the committee has an equal opportunity.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: I understand. The issue is-----
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: I appreciate that. If the Deputy would like more than five minutes today, he might speak to his colleagues and somebody might give him an additional five minutes.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: That was based on having a double session which is not possible now, based on advice.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: That is right.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: I appreciate that the time limits which are required of us are going to make it difficult. We are going to have to be concise, make as few statements as possible and try to elicit information rather than making statements.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: We are still in public session.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: Yes.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: Yes.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Business of Special Committee (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: Does anybody oppose that? No. That is a good idea. We have the physical capability to take witnesses from committee room 1. Committee members would sit in the Dáil Chamber whereas the witnesses would be in committee room 1. I am aware of the risk that people might have to go into self-isolation. I consulted with as many committee members as I could this morning, although I did...
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Briefing by Department of Health Officials (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: To recap, witnesses can give evidence from committee room 1 if they prefer not to be in the Chamber. Mr. Jim Breslin has said he does not have a preference. I thank him for coming before us today. I wish to advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(i) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If you...
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Briefing by Department of Health Officials (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: Sorry. Finally, I would ask everybody to remain seated throughout. People are free to leave and I would encourage people to leave and come back to avail of their slot so that there are as few people as possible in the Chamber because the more contact we have with people, the more risk there is of spreading Covid-19 or, indeed, any other infectious disease. I would ask that people sit while...
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Briefing by Department of Health Officials (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: I am sorry to interrupt, but I would ask Mr. Breslin to conclude so that we have enough time for questions.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Briefing by Department of Health Officials (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: I thank Mr. Breslin. I must ask him to conclude. We have his opening statement and we appreciate that he sent it to us in advance. I ask Dr. Holohan to give an opening statement and to limit it to five minutes, if possible.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Briefing by Department of Health Officials (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: I thank Dr. Holohan for being so precise.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Briefing by Department of Health Officials (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: The Deputy has used almost five minutes. If he wishes to get two answers to each of these questions, it is a matter for himself as to how to proceed.
- Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Briefing by Department of Health Officials (19 May 2020)
Michael McNamara: Does the Deputy wish both witnesses to answer each question?