Results 13,901-13,920 of 26,864 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I have met many of the women to whom the Deputy refers. I reject, though, that the Minister for Health has only paid lip service to this. We do not have to play politics with every issue.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Government has said publicly that we believe maternity hospitals should have open access, as much as possible, for partners. I ask maternity hospitals again today to facilitate that access. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, has done so and the Taoiseach has said it. Let us, therefore, be honest with people first.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Decisions have been reviewed at hospital level and by clinicians also. The Deputy, as a former spokesperson on health, may have an understanding of that also.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: We want to ensure-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I am just answering the Deputy's question if that is okay. It is an important question and it is a very important issue that she has raised.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I will bring back the Deputy's views. I know women are there today, and I fully understand what they are asking for and what they should have. They should have access for their partners to the maternity hospital. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, has made that clear too. I very much take on board the issue the Deputy has raised, however.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I assure Deputy Kelly that the Government understands this. It is a very serious issue for women and their partners. The latest guidance was published on 3 September with an implementation date of 13 September, and that clearly sets out the controls and access for partners as well. I know the Minister for Health appeared before the Joint Committee on Health this morning to deal with other...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I have answered the two previous Deputies and it is an important-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: The Deputy might let me answer this one. It is a very serious and emotive issue on what is for many families a very special day. We must also recognise the fact that we are still living with Covid-19 in the community right now.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I am not talking about nightclubs. I am talking about hospitals and maternity hospitals.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I have been very clear in what I have said today. The Government has issued guidance on it. The HSE is committed to keeping any restrictions that are in place under review. Let us be straight with people as well. Covid-19 is still in the community. People are still being hospitalised with Covid. We have to manage those who are vaccinated, and, perhaps, also those who have symptoms and...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: In this instance, though, I have been very clear on what I have said on maternity hospitals. Where hospitals can allow unfettered access, they should. The Minister for Health has also been very clear on that.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: In any measures the Government takes to tackle climate change, and where carbon taxes are required, we need to ensure and have ensured that we also tackle fuel poverty in that space. This has been debated last night and today and will be voted on by the Dáil later this evening. The Government has outlined its position, which is a realistic one.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. I will deal specifically with the Land Development Agency and former Defence Forces lands. Following on from my last reply, we have set a target of completing 10,000 new social housing builds per annum on average over the term of the plan. This in itself will make significant inroads into the social housing waiting list, which includes many former and, in some cases,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy O'Donoghue for his questions. As I have said previously, those who are responsible should contribute towards remediation. I have engaged intensively with the Attorney General on this matter and he is working on mechanisms to ensure wrongdoing and liability on the part of quarries and other parties are fully penalised. I recognise the report from 2012 because I was heavily...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: On targets, I will assess what Focus Ireland is looking for. We have made a very significant step forward in committing to eradicating homelessness by 2030. That is significant and, in fairness to the Deputy, I think he recognises that. In relation to private emergency accommodation, I am bringing forward new standards in coming weeks. These providers have operated under a type of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I reiterate that, like the Deputy, I believe in home ownership and having it as an option for our young people and not-so-young people who are working and feel they have been forgotten about in recent years. That is why Housing for All is very important. It is the first time a Government has brought forward a multi-annual housing plan that is fully funded to the tune of over €20...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: Tuigim an fadhb. I intend to bring a memorandum to Government in the coming weeks. That memorandum will be underpinned by three core principles, namely, that the enhancements and changes we make are timely, reasonable and consistent. As a republican, I believe in equality and there is absolutely no question of that. I have had experience in my constituency of defective work involving...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for his questions. Recent controversies involving a particular homelessness charity in Dublin have highlighted the importance of protecting vulnerable homeless people. We must keep that to the forefront of everything we do. I have previously raised concerns about the number of ad hocgroups of people who feel they may be doing good but who are not properly trained...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2021)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy for raising this really important issue, which I am acutely aware of and in respect of which I have been heavily engaged. Last year, one of the first trips I took as Minister was to County Donegal. The Deputy was in attendance and we met residents in Buncrana. I went visit to homeowners at the time. I have been to visit homeowners in County Clare. This is a scheme I...