Results 15,521-15,540 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (16 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 176. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he continues to monitor and engage with the various bodies involved in the fishing industry with particular reference to challenges arising from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24425/20]

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Final Report of Nursing Homes Expert Panel (16 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Like other speakers, I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their report. One question arises immediately which I know has been referred to previously. In the event of the report being carefully implemented, are the witnesses satisfied that that will adequately address the issues that came to the fore in the recent pandemic? That is my first question.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Final Report of Nursing Homes Expert Panel (16 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: May I ask another question, Chairman? How many minutes do I have left?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Final Report of Nursing Homes Expert Panel (16 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: That is very tight.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Final Report of Nursing Homes Expert Panel (16 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: That is fine. I have a number of questions but I will ask them quickly. Nursing homes have been mentioned many times in the debate on this issue over the past six months and there has been implied criticism. We all have nursing homes in our constituencies, both public and private ones, and without exception the quality and standard of service provision are excellent. From my experience, I...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Final Report of Nursing Homes Expert Panel (16 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: For the last question, the witness can send me a written reply. In relation to rapid testing and rapid results, to what extent does the witness believe that can address the issues now arising with the second surge?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Final Report of Nursing Homes Expert Panel (Resumed) (16 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I will try to curtail my intrusion as much as possible. Arising from the discussions this morning and the questions to the expert panel, are the witnesses satisfied that adequate resources and information is available to public and private nursing homes, hospitals and the system in general, to deal adequately and early with an ongoing or upcoming surge?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Final Report of Nursing Homes Expert Panel (Resumed) (16 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I understand that a rapid testing system with rapid results is operating in some countries. By "rapid", I mean results being provided within a few hours. How effective and reliable is this system? Can it be used at airports as we move into the new phase of living with the virus? How effective could a rapid testing system that produces results within one or two hours be if used in those...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Final Report of Nursing Homes Expert Panel (Resumed) (16 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I would be happy with a written reply.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Final Report of Nursing Homes Expert Panel (Resumed) (16 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Acting Chairman.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coillte Teoranta (15 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Our time has expired.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 42. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he remains satisfied that the public continue to strictly observe the Covid-19 protocols in respect of hand sanitisation, social distancing and reduction of interaction; the extent to which an assessment has been done of known breaches which have specifically led to new outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23662/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: This is a very simple question. It could even asked in less than 30 seconds. I wish to ascertain the reason for the sudden, rapid and worrying increase in cases of Covid-19 throughout the country, and to ask what research has been carried out into this.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am a little bit worried because the figures seem to be going in the wrong direction at a time when the authorities are rightly placing greater emphasis on the need to curtail the virus. It was not evident from the Minister's reply but there must be some identifiable clue as to where the biggest problem is. It has been suggested to me that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State. I agree. We in County Kildare have been in the eye of the storm for some time and we have paid a high price for it. The second lockdown was quite invasive and created significant economic difficulty but the outbreak was dealt with, albeit at great cost. The national figures are now accelerating at what I would regard as an alarming rate and I am not so...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: What is the position with the Charities Act 2009 in respect of all sections and its applicability? Has it been fully endorsed and is it fully operational at present? Are there some outstanding amendments or changes?

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 75. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he can ensure access to services such as elective procedures, mental health services, endoscopy and oncology treatments that have been affected by the Covid-19 crisis, including access to services for persons with special needs; if he has in place or in mind a specific action plan to deal with the issues; and if he will make a statement...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (15 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 121. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he is taking further steps to ensure the viability of the agrifood industry, notwithstanding recent indicators in respect of Brexit and the effects of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24034/20]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (15 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 127. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he foresees the possibility of expansion of the markets for agrifood exports here with particular reference to the need to compensate for negative developments arising from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24035/20]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (15 Sep 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 299. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to introduce a more efficient way of declaring a pension payment for those living abroad, particularly those who have a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23629/20]