Results 6,761-6,780 of 6,869 for speaker:Ruairí Ó Murchú

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 777. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons facilitated at the special Covid-19 self-isolation centre at a hotel (details supplied) from 1 April 2020 and 1 July 2020; the number of nights per person; the cost of the accommodation from 1 April 2020 and 1 July 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18412/20]

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: It has all been said about the necessity of the services. It is something that was very clear recently during the pandemic. We are talking about the future of public transport. I expect there is a fear that people have made a shift towards private cars. From a public transport perspective, including private bus service operators, of which there are many in my Louth constituency, will Mr....

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: There is much talk of stimulus at the moment. What is the NBRU's view on major rail projects such as the Navan rail line, the western rail corridor and the future of the DART underground?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: This question is for Mr. Waldron and Mr. Macken who, in fairness, gave what one could only call an indictment of the NTA. I also accept their comments about the necessity of stimulus and grant aid and possibly even to facilitate some people leaving the industry. Insurance was, however, a big issue long before we started this. I have two quick questions. I could be using the wrong...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: If Deputy O'Rourke eats into my time, that is fine.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I congratulate the Chairman on his new role. I want to follow up on some of the points made by my colleague. Serious dissatisfaction was expressed earlier between representatives of taxi drivers and the NTA. They specifically spoke about the issue around insurance and the difficulty whereby insurance companies blamed the NTA, saying that it did not change its rules for the period of the...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Obviously, we would like to see increased engagement. The taxi driver representatives had a serious difficulty in that they did not believe that the NTA, and the insurance companies, had done all that was necessary. We need to ensure that happens, and I would like it put on the agenda. Another major concern they have is that there should be a stimulus programme specifically related to...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Taxi drivers do not pay rates.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I accept that.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I accept that but the taxi drivers themselves stated that most of those did not apply to them. It is something that would need to be looked into. It happens to many groups, when necessary blunt instruments are brought in, that they can fall between stools. We need to look at that. I just want to know if it is on the Department's agenda. The stimulus programme announced this week is only...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: They spoke about that as a necessity to survive but their costs were still running in many cases, and we have dealt with some of those. They also spoke about the fact that it is incredibly difficult to get protocols on safety and security. As a result of rules relating to insurance and such, they cannot put in screens in cars or whatever. That is another issue they believe needs to be...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: That is all vital and I accept it. The sooner it happens the better.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I agree. The unfortunate thing is that not everyone is always reasonable. I will finish up on the green list, which came up this week. I accept some of the commentary from the officials on the fact that they would be looking at putting the passenger locator online, which would allow for a greater level of authentication. I assume they are talking about stronger protocols in respect of...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I agree there should be nothing other than essential travel. Unfortunately, there are people travelling and there are people travelling to Ireland from places in the US where there is an absolute disaster as regards Covid-19 outbreaks. It is about ensuring that we can mitigate against the worst excesses.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I thank the witnesses for what they have done today. I accept the difficulty in the situation we are all dealing with. The big thing is that we give people as much clarity as possible and ensure that we put the best procedures possible in place. As we open up more, even in respect of all elements of this economy and society, we need to ensure that we have the capacity and ability to move...

Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I would like to add my voice to what Deputy Cullinane has said regarding the lack of capacity in terms of GP services. While we welcome the changes that are being brought in regarding eligibility and extending the children's eligibility for medical cards, it is vital that we will be able to deliver upon that. We have a bad history in the context of offering primary care services. As a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Local Authority Funding (23 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I raise the issue of underfunding of Louth County Council, in particular. 12 o’clock I note that the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, spoke about the local property tax, but at this point if we were to increase it by 10% to 15%, we would deal only with the cost of the land banks in County Louth that were bought under instruction from Government around 2006 and 2007 in many cases....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Persons Supports (23 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 144. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the timeframe for the roll-out of the family-orientated Housing First scheme to Louth County Council; and the details of the resources to be allocated. [17956/20]

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I wish to raise the HIQA report released yesterday about the overall situation in nursing homes during the Covid-19 outbreak. The report lays out in stark terms how nearly 60% of homes inspected following Covid-19 outbreaks were found to have insufficient infection prevention and control measures, which possibly led to greater tragedy. It speaks of deficiencies in governance and management....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Jul 2020)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: -----and the radical reform that is clearly needed in the nursing home sector?