Results 9,341-9,360 of 26,021 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: We are continuing our discussions on rapid antigen testing as it relates to aviation and travel. On behalf of the committee, I welcome: Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, CMO, at the Department of Health; Dr. Ronan Glynn, deputy CMO at the Department of Health; Professor Philip Nolan, chair of the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, modelling group, Dr. Cillian de Gascun,...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Dr. Holohan. We thank RTÉ for broadcasting this meeting live on its RTÉ news channel. This meeting will be a hugely important engagement for both ourselves and the public looking in. We want to have a discussion on the science behind rapid antigen testing and the proposals. We have heard from expert witnesses from across the spectrum and people who have advocated for...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Dr. Holohan.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: We have to be conscious that we have many committee members, so I ask for their responses to be as concise as possible.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: We will move on and then the other witnesses can come in as we go along. I want to take up a couple of points. We are not saying that rapid antigen testing should replace PCR testing. It is quite the reverse and we are saying they should be complementary to each other. Dr. Holohan makes reference to the Ferguson report and he is saying he is in agreement with it. Has the report been...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: Does Dr. Holohan accept-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: Does Dr. Holohan accept that someone could have a negative PCR test three days prior to arrival but be Covid positive when boarding a plane? Could rapid antigen testing provide a role in that regard? Have there been cases-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: On that basis, would Dr. Holohan support a pilot scheme for a flight between Ireland and another country? PCR testing would obviously be done alongside antigen testing for every passenger. That could validate the hypothesis I am putting forward, namely, to ensure that every person that potentially has Covid would be caught before boarding a plane.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: Okay.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: That is fine. If Dr Holohan is agreeable to that, we deem that to be a step forward. In the limited time I have I want to discuss the delta variant in the UK. Why did NPHET recommend to Government to extend the quarantine period of testing for people who have been validated by other tests but still have to have a PCR test within five days? The digital green certificate will require no...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: Would Professor Nolan accept that aviation is one of those settings where we need to do a pilot study?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: You would support it.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: I am sorry Dr. de Gascun, but I would dispute that because that was over a 30-day period. During the most infectious period, it is just as good.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: I am sorry, but other members wish to contribute.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rapid Antigen Testing: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jun 2021)
Kieran O'Donnell: At their most infectious-----