Michael McNamara, Independent TD for Clare, is warning of “a precipitous drop” in the prices of cattle and milk in a few weeks’ time if a Brexit trade deal is not done.
Read MoreWe need to deal with the challenges posed by Covid-19 in a manner that protects our vulnerable without jeopardising their future and that of a whole generation.
The short-term funding for airports announced by Government is welcome but more needs to be done given the state’s long-term reliance on aviation.
I raised the issue of testing at airports and NPHET’s insistence that only PCR testing is acceptable. Airports in other EU countries are using rapid antigen testing.
Ireland’s domestic economy is forecast to shrink by a massive 22% in 2020, by far the biggest contraction, according to the European Commission.
7 months after I first raised airport testing, it’s time to stop discussing options and start implementing solutions.
NPHET’s modelling upon which Government introduced this lockdown was clearly inaccurate. Due to the 3-week timelag for measures to take effect It’s clear people had modified their behaviour before the introduction of lockdown. Incidence was already falling. 55,000 needlessly out of work!
I spoke on RTÉ Primetime about the impact of Level 5 restrictions on retailers.
I explained to the Dáil today why I am opposing the Health (Amendment) Bill.
I spoke against the lockdown and the power to lockdown again and again until June at least.
TDs are being asked to approve another lockdown without data on self-harm and suicide during the last lockdown. That is not good enough and must not be repeated.
Closing marts and moving cattle sales online is counterproductive and ill-considered.
In four months nothing has changed. Now we’re told nothing will will change for another four months. Lockdowns must end.
I spoke to Claire Byrne on RTÉ today about the potential introduction of further restrictions in Ireland.
Our economy cannot endure another sustained shutdown – RTÉ The Week In Politics
Reacting to the news that Ryanair is to close its bases in Cork and Shannon for the winter, Independent TD Michael McNamara has said the Government needs to introduce a system of rapid testing at airports in the short term and must also develop a new State aviation policy to ensure international transit carriers do not fly exclusively into Dublin.
Read MoreI asked Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to provide an update on the progress made by Government on the introduction of a testing protocol at Irish airports and about what type of test system would be used.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney today outlined to me why a Zero Covid Island approach is neither realistic nor feasible.
Expectant mothers require the support of their partners at key moments of their pregnancy. Humanity must be retained in maternity hospitals restrictions.
The latest household restrictions will be counterproductive if put into law as they will undermine contact tracing.
In response to the news that Ryanair is to close its bases in Cork Airport and Shannon Airport for the winter, I am requesting Government to introduce a system of rapid testing at airports in the short term and also develop a new State aviation policy to ensure international transit carriers do not fly exclusively into Dublin Airport.
Read MoreReacting to Budget 2021 this evening, I spoke about mental health services, the childcare sector, family carers and broadband, amongst other issues.
I spoke to RTÉ about the publication of the final report of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response.
I gave my reaction to the Government’s announcement of Level 3 restrictions to BBC Radio Ulster this evening.
peaking on Today with Claire Byrne (RTÉ Radio One) about the NPHET proposal to Government to introduce Level 5 restrictions.
I spoke on RTÉ Radio’s ‘Late Debate’ programme about the urgent need to address hospital capacity, the Leaving Certificate grade errors and the public reaction to Golfgate.
On Newstalk this evening speaking about the final session of the COVID-19 Committee.
As Ireland continues to combat COVID-19, we must not lose sight of the impact it is having on mental health.
I asked the HSE about the risk of false positives and false negatives in PCR testing. Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer with the HSE, said “One of the problems with this test is that it can pick up a residual RNA weeks after active infection and after a person is no longer infectious.”
At today’s COVID-19 Committee meeting, I questioned Dr. John Cuddihy of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre about the current system of recording COVID cases and deaths in Ireland.
Concluding comments from today’s meeting of the Dáil COVID-19 Committee, featuring Prof. Sam McConkey, Dr. Johan Giesecke, Dr. Tomás Ryan and Prof. Kirsten Schaffer discussing strategic options for using the Government Plan to eliminate community transmission of COVID-19 in Ireland.
At today’s COVID Committee, I asked the GAA, IRFU and FAI about the economic and social impact of COVID-19 on their organisations and the wider community.
80 people on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick on a day when we learn that only 23 additional critical care beds have been delivered nationally since March and publication of the HSE Winter Plan is delayed for a further week. The State must step up, not just individual citizens.
I was happy to receive confirmation from the Minister for Agriculture that farmers would now receive monthly updates on their stocking density so as to be able to calculate their reductions required for BEAM (Beef Exceptional Aid Measure).
I raised Coillte’s treatment of the environment with the new Minister responsible for Forestry and I invited her to Sliabh Aughty to see for herself.
I fear that, while people are doing what is asked of them in responding to COVID-19, the State is not meeting its own targets.
I spoke on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne about the news that Covid testing at meat processing plants has been suspended temporarily by the HSE so it can meet a “significant rise in demand” for testing in the community.
We must increase healthcare capacity instead of shutting down aviation, sporting and cultural events, pubs etc, to deal with the threat posed by COVID-19.
I questioned the Justice Minister on the use of criminal legislation in combating COVID-19.
We need to protect the vulnerable from COVID-19 but also allow society to function.
I urged the new Minister for Agriculture to reform the beef and forestry sectors so that farmers in those sectors and can plan for the future with more certainty.
I asked teachers’ and SNAs’ representatives whether the time away from schools has had a detrimental effect on pupils. This afternoon, I am chairing two further sessions of the COVID Committee and will be putting questions to Education Minister Norma Foley, Inclusion Ireland, National Parents Council Primary and National Parents Council Post Primary.
I spoke to Claire Byrne on RTÉ today about the latest revelations on how meat plants treat their workers, which will come as no surprise to farmers given the treatment they receive.
A proportionate response to all risks is essential. No evidence to support the singling out of pubs over, for example, meat plants in the State’s response.
Tonight on RTÉ Primetime, I pointed out that the numbers in hospital with COVID-19 are thankfully, nowhere near those that prompted the lockdown in March.
The Finsa site in Scariff, Co. Clare, is being utilised by the HSE as a PPE storage facilty, one of two such large-scale storage facilities in the country. I spoke about this on Clare FM and also questioned the HSE’s Paul Reid on the procurement and storage of PPE during yesterday’s COVID-19 Committee meeting.
I questioned Health Minister Stephen Donnelly about the medical basis for threatening another lockdown and whether he foresees its consequences.
At the COVID-19 Committee today, I questioned Dr. Ronan Glynn (Acting Chief Medical Officer) on meat plant and restaurant inspections, the impact of Covid-19 on mental health and the implications of an economic slowdown on our health service.
I questioned the HSE today on the reasons for the low number of confirmed COVID cases in hospitals despite rising cases nationally. I also asked the HSE to outline its plans to ease overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick by expanding services at Tier 2 Hospitals such as Ennis, St Johns and Nenagh.
I spoke to Sarah McInerney on RTÉ today about the newly introduced COVID-19 measures. I will be requesting Minister for Health and Acting Chief Medical Officer to appear before the COVID Committee next week to further explain the new measures.
I spoke to Brian Dobson on Morning Ireland about today’s COVID-19 Committee meetings in relation to the meat industry and ongoing impact of COVID-19 restrictions on communities across Ireland.
Some interesting points made, and serious questions raised about the direction being taken in dealing with the virus at the COVID-19 Committee today.
Meat Industry Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority appeared before the COVID-19 Committee today.
The COVID-19 Committee’s recommendation for a 24-hour turnaround for Covid-19 tests is nowhere near being meet by the HSE. Ireland cannot control the spread of this virus if our system of testing is insufficient.
The current Government’s COVID-19 strategy lacks coherence. I discussed the matter with Pat Flynn on Clare FM.
The Special Committee on Covid-19 Response, of which I am Chair, is calling for immediate action and reform of the nursing home sector, to protect the older population, in the event of a second wave of the virus, in an interim report published today. I spoke about the report on RTÉ Drivetime this evening.
This government like the previous government simply doesn’t understand how the economy works in rural Ireland and how the seasonal hospitality sector works.
I asked Taoiseach Micheal Martin today what will be done for people out of pocket as a result of foregoing holidays due to Covid-19. Ordinary people should not have to bear the brunt of everything. Aer Lingus and Ryanair will be appearing before the Dáil COVID Committee, which I Chair, next Tuesday.
The impact of COVID-19 and the soaring cost of insurance is having a devastating impact on many businesses. Tuamgraney’s Sean Kilkenny, who runs a vintage carriage business operating out of the grounds of Dromoland Castle, last week took his horse-drawn carriage all the way to the Dáil. I spoke to him during yesterday’s ‘Save Our Heritage’ protest in Shannon.
During today’s meeting of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response, I questioned HSE officials on healthcare staffing levels during the COVID-19 crisis, citing concerns raised on social media by an Irish trainee GP.
I received confirmation from the HSE today that it is considering proposals to expand the level of services delivered from Tier 2 hospitals such as Ennis and Nenagh during the coming months.
Based on evidence provided by the HSE and IMO at today’s COVID Committee, I am concerned that Ireland’s Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme will be not be expansive enough to sufficientely reduce overcrowding at our hospitals in light of any increase in COVID cases this winter.
Evidence given by the Irish Medical Organisation and Irish Cancer Society in the Dáil COVID Committee today suggests Ireland is falling behind other European countries regarding the resumption of cancer screenings services.
In this morning’s Dáil COVID Committee hearing, which I chaired, Inclusion Ireland CEO Enda Egan said families are at the absolute edge of their ability to cope during the pandemic. He said there is another pandemic about to hit us and that is family carer burn out.
Read MoreThere is finally a growing acceptance in Government that a regional approach to COVID restrictions is now required, as I called for again today. Restrictions that affect sporting and family events, as well as small rural pubs must be proportionate to the risk posed. The risk of contracting COVID-19 in Clare, and much of rural Ireland, is clearly lower than it is in Dublin as borne out by the statistics and by science.
I today asked Taoiseach Michael Martin when Government intends providing guidance to pub/nightclub workers and owners around the proposed reopening date of July 20th. I was informed that a decision will be issued following a Cabinet meeting at 5.30pm tomorrow (Wednesday).
The Dáil Covid Committee, of which I am Chair, this week shone a light on meat industry practices during the COVID-19 restrictions.
The Secretary General of the Department of Education, Seán Ó Foghlú has told the Covid-19 Oireachtas Committee that reopening schools as fully, normally and as safely as possible is the Department’s number one priority. The Department hopes to have guidance issued to schools by the end of the month.
During the Dáil COVID-19 Committee meeting today, I questioned the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland on banking practices around personal and business loan approvals.
I spoke on RTÉ’s ‘Today with Sarah McInerney’ programme this morning about the implications of ongoing public health advice in relation to international travel, as well as the need for a significant stimulus plan for the tourism & hospitality 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.
Despite schools having opened across much of Europe, there remains more doubt than I would like about what will happen in Ireland in September.
The Clare Crusaders therapy-based clinic in Barefield provides services, without any Government funding, to 450 children with special needs.
Read MoreCommenting 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.”
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.
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.
It is disappointing that not all insurance companies have given refunds to crèches / childcare providers which have been closed since March.
Read MoreDuring 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 MoreDr. 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.
The Irish tourism sector is being left in a worse situation than in other European states for no apparent reason.
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.
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.
