Impact of COVID-19 on SME sector
In this morning’s meeting of the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response, I asked members of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Recovery Ireland about the impact of COVID-19 on the SME sector.
Return to school in late August
Despite schools having opened across much of Europe, there remains more doubt than I would like about what will happen in Ireland in September.
Summer Provision
The Clare Crusaders therapy-based clinic in Barefield provides services, without any Government funding, to 450 children with special needs.
Read MoreOperating safely through COVID-19
Commenting during this morning’s COVID-19 Dáil Committee session, which I chaired, Prof Paddy Mallon (Infection Disease Physician at St Vincent’s, Professor of Microbial Diseases at UCD) said, “We got away by the skin of our teeth.” He said, “There needs to be a recognition moving forward that we can’t operate safely with current staffing levels in the health services.”
Special Criminal Court review
I welcome the Justice Minister’s announcement of his decision to undertake a review of the Special Criminal Court. In response to the announcement, I called for a meaningful review in Dáil Éireann today.
Special Criminal Court
We need to have a meaningful discussion about the Special Criminal Court and the need for safeguards around the non-jury trial process, not just another rubber stamping by the Oireachtas. I discussed the issue with Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD and Sarah McInerney on RTÉ’s Today programme.
Childcare provision in Ireland
It is disappointing that not all insurance companies have given refunds to crèches / childcare providers which have been closed since March.
Read MoreExtend opening of Shannon Heritage sites
In the Dáil today, I questioned Heritage Minister Josepha Madigan about the decision of Shannon Group to close its Shannon Heritage sites in the Mid-West from the end of August whilst keeping its Dublin sites open. To treat OUR heritage in that manner is disgraceful. Having met staff at the weekend, I will be meeting with management at Shannon Group to request them to reconsider the decision to close all its sites in Clare, Limerick and Galway from the end of August.
Intreo Centres
During today’s COVID-19 Committee meeting, I questioned John McKeon, Secretary General for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, on whether the Department has plans to centralise existing Intreo Centre back office services throughout the Midwest to Limerick.
Recession and Bank Lending
In the Dáil today I questioned Professor Stephen Kinsella (Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Limerick) and Professor Alan Barrett (Chief Executive Officer of the ESRI) about the severity of the recession that is anticipated and what impact it will have on bank lending practices.
WHO special envoy Dr David Nabarro
At today’s meeting of the Oireachtas special committee on Covid-19, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) special envoy Dr David Nabarro provided pertinent advice on how we might continue to open society, including healthcare, workplaces and schools.
Ongoing legal basis for countrywide restrictions
In the Dáil today, I questioned Health Minister Simon Harris on the ongoing legal basis for countrywide restrictions. The Minister said he would respond in writing to the issue I raised.
Shannon Heritage sites and Aer Lingus workers at Shannon Airport
In the Dáil, I questioned Minister Ross on why Shannon Heritage managed tourist sites in the Dublin region would remain open as Bunratty Castle, Craggaunowen, Knappogue, Dunguaire Castle and King John’s Castle close from the end of August. I also requested Minister Ross to use the influence of Government to seek to have Aer Lingus reverse its discriminatory treatment of its long serving Shannon based staff.
Renewable energy, Moneypoint and farming
In statements today (Wednesday) to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment on Climate Action & Low Carbon Development, I raised the issues of renewable energy, Moneypoint and farming.
COVID-19 and sustained community transmission
During today’s COVID-19 Committee meeting, Dr. Cillian De Gascun and Professor Philip Nolan, both members of NPHET, both accepted there are areas or regions of the State where there is not believed to be, nor known to be, sustained human transmission of COVID-19.
Read MoreJustice for Patrick Nugent
I called for justice for Patrick Nugent and his family from the Justice Minister tonight.
Justice for Patrick Nugent
I called for justice for Patrick Nugent and his family from the Justice Minister tonight.
Direct Provision in Miltown Malbay
The welcome shown by the people of Miltown Malbay to asylum seekers is in marked contrast to the aims of our Direct Provision system, I told the Dáil tonight.
Future delivery of services at Ennis, St. John’s and Nenagh Hospitals
I have called on the Minister for Health to expand the role of, and level of service provided in, Ennis, St. John’s and Nenagh Hospitals to avoid the inevitable calamity that will be UHL overcrowding.
Shannon Airport post-Covid
Addressing Minister for Transport Shane Ross in the Dáil tonight, Clare T.D. Michael McNamara outlined some steps Shannon Airport needs to take to succeed post-COVID. He added, “Shannon’s success is vital for balanced regional development, but it needs a shot in the arm from Government.”
Patient waiting lists could hit 1 million
Dr. Anthony O’Connor of the Irish Medical Organisation told me during today’s Dáil COVID-19 Committee meeting that up to 1 million people in Ireland could be on waiting lists for medical procedures by this winter.
Irish tourism sector in limbo with no reopening plan in place
The Irish tourism sector is being left in a worse situation than in other European states for no apparent reason.
The role of Tier 2 hospitals post COVID
Alan Irvine and Martin Varley of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) outlined today that Tier 2 hospitals have a vital and enlarged role to play in providing medical care post-COVID.
Cancer screening delays due to capacity issues
Dr. Susan Clyne, CEO of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), says the delay in resuming cancer screenings in Ireland is due to a lack of capacity rather than any risk to frontline staff or patients arising.