Results 9,161-9,180 of 26,021 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: 270. To ask the Minister for Health if he will seek clarification from the Health Service Executive on the further easing of maternity restrictions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28080/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Apologies have been received from Senator Craughwell. The purpose of our meeting is to continue our pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019. On behalf of the committee I welcome to today's meeting the Minister for Transport and Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ryan. His officials, Mr. Ray...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Minister for accommodating us on the time. I now invite members for questions. I call Deputy Cathal Crowe. As Deputy Crowe is not in Leinster House, I call Deputy McAuliffe, who is substituting for his colleague, Deputy O’Connor.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Maybe in the Minister’s response he might address something he touched on briefly in his opening address and give more details on the timeframe in terms of publishing the full legislation, when he expects it to go to Second Stage and Committee Stage, and put a bit more flesh on the timeframe. It was a point Deputy McAuliffe raised, but I am putting firm direction on the question itself.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I presume the Minister is talking about it going to the Dáil for First Stage and Second Stage and it then coming back to the select committee for Committee Stage

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: On that, our understanding is the Bill is being drafted at the moment. On the logistics of having the Bill published, outside of pre-legislative scrutiny, does the Minister have a timeframe for that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I accept that. My understanding is there was work going on. Let me put another way to the Minister. Is there further work to be done, outside of what he has given us here in the brief, around anything to do with the Bill?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: That gives clarity, Minister. Thank you.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have no doubt that provides the Minister with a further impetus. I thank Deputy McAuliffe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Minister might take that under advisement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We have written to the Minister as our line Minister. We have written to the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, and had it before us. We have done a considerable amount of work on antigen testing. We had Aer Lingus CEO, Ms Lynne Embleton, before us last week. The airline would very much be on board with any form of pilot testing or whatever testing is required with antigen....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Minister has an opinion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: What is your opinion?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: To conclude on this point, the Minister speaks about other areas. Does he see antigen testing having a role in the context of indoor dining with restaurants? Government made an announcement yesterday. If he is making the statement that he sees it having a role in other areas, what are those other areas? Does it include indoor dining? How quickly will that happen?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Minister is not ruling out antigen testing having a role in indoor dining.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Of course.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Does Deputy Matthews wish to make a further comment in respect of the Minister's response?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I welcome the Bill. I seek a few points of information. Will insurance be mandatory for e-scooters?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Minister does not think they require insurance. What is happening regarding bicycles is a positive development, in particular in Dublin. I am amazed, in one sense, that there are not more accidents between cyclists and cars. At this time, is there a need for the Department of Transport to examine the interaction of cars and bikes in terms of the safety of both? I often get a taxi in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019: Minister for Transport (30 Jun 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is there a formalised rule book for cyclists? There is one for car drivers. I accept the point made by the Minister. However, this area must also be looked at from my perspective. I see the situation unfolding weekly in this regard. Is there a Rules of the Road for people who cycle? Are formalised rules set down in legislation in this regard by the Department? I should know this, but I...