Results 181-200 of 2,283 for speaker:Matt Shanahan

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: One final issue I want to highlight is Irish manufacturers who are trying to supply PPE to the HSE. I am aware of two manufacturers who were in very protracted discussions which have gone cold, to a degree, on the HSE's part. These companies have been engaged with by the HSE, they have been brought quite a distance and they spent money to set themselves up to supply the HSE but all of a...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Infection Rate among Healthcare Workers (Resumed) (21 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I appreciate that and thank Mr. Woods.

Debenhams Ireland Redundancies: Motion [Private Members] (22 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: Anseo, a Chathaoirligh.

Debenhams Ireland Redundancies: Motion [Private Members] (22 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I am up in the gods. We had a short debate last night with the Minister of State and it is ironic that he and I are back here again so soon. The dignity, importance and value of work were mentioned in last night's debate. Work delivers respect. It engenders self-respect. It provides financial independence to families. It allows people and families to craft a future for themselves and...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on International Travel (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I thank the witnesses for their contributions. As part of the Regional Group in the Dáil, I have called in the past week for polymerase chain reaction, PCR, Covid testing at Dublin Airport, acknowledging that there are flights originating from countries which we should have little concern about because they have diseases levels lower than our own. We absolutely have economic...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on International Travel (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I am in agreement with Mr. Cullen and I think that we will arrive at that position. I would like to see it being progressed and I ask other Oireachtas Members to support it. It is the obvious and logical thing to do. In regard to the cash burn that Mr. Cullen spoke about at Aer Lingus, we are aware that Ireland is probably the leading centre in the world for aircraft leasing. I imagine...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on International Travel (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: There is a relaxation of state aid rules as part of the stimulus. I am sure the Government could do something to provide additional moneys to Aer Lingus. I would say that ideology is the problem in that such provision would be seen to be funding a private company. Ultimately, International Airlines Group, IAG, which is Aer Lingus's owner, is a private company. However, I accept that it is...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on International Travel (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: My time is up. I will conclude by saying that Mr. Cullen's organisation and others should try to lead on the issue of testing to get as many people as possible back into the air as quickly as possible and provide some footing to deal with the cash burn he described.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I would like to let Mr. Waldron know that I have great sympathy for the taxi industry. I would agree with him that the industry has unfortunately, through regulation, been allowed to get too big to be fair to drivers. That is the real problem. We have a huge amount of capacity and now, during the downturn caused by Covid, many people are at risk. I support Mr. Waldron's call for step-down...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I agree with Mr. Waldron. I dare say he will not be the last witness from the private sector to speak about difficulties in engaging with the higher-ups in the public service and Civil Service. We highlighted that in a recent report. I commend Mr. O'Leary of the National Bus and Rail Union on the work he has done. As a member of the Regional Group, I was out in front of even the NBRU in...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I understand they can be fitted to coaches. I know there is a cost associated with that but it is possible to fit them to the air conditioning systems of buses.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: Has the NBRU looked at this issue or engaged with the Department with regard to using these as a solution in respect of any further public service obligation, PSO, services? The issue of transport for those returning to school has already been highlighted. There is a definite problem in respect of children with intellectual disabilities who may have to be brought to special schools in...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I suggest Mr. O'Connor's group might want to look at that. I am not saying the NBRU is not being proactive but it would be good to engage with the Department on some initiatives to see if it can get support for them. I will return to the taxi industry before I finish. Have the taxi groups organised themselves into any co-operatives through which they might be able to get greater traction...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I am out of time but Mr. Macken's response is a telling indictment of the NTA's position in this process.

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I thank those from the Department who are here today. I wish to return to the issue of testing in airports. Last week in the media I requested that we do Polymerase chain reaction, PCR, Covid testing at Dublin and the other airports. I believe this is eminently feasible and have made the point that if we do not do it at the airports, we will end up doing it in the community a little bit...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I apologise for cutting across Mr. Spratt but my time is limited. I accept the logic of what he is proposing but if this is the route we are going down then the next question is are those tests available at the points of departure or prior to people departing? Furthermore, when does Mr. Spratt see something like this being put in place?

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: There is obviously potential there for people to defraud that test if they are presenting their laminar flow or whatever it is that they are required to bring in to show the result they got. It would be like bringing a pregnancy test kit to show somebody the stripes on it. Effectively, that is what is being addressed by the diagnostic test kits to which reference has been made. That is...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I do not mean to be rude but I have very limited time. I am glad to hear that but what I would say is please-----

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: We need urgency. I know the Department is considering and analysing it but for public confidence, it needs to demonstrate urgency. This is what people want. The witnesses have told the committee that the Department is looking at it and wants to get it done on public transit. However, there is no reason it cannot be done across the board. The officials should ask the Government, if...

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response: Covid-19: Impact on Public Transport (Resumed) (24 Jul 2020)

Matt Shanahan: I do not wish to argue the epidemiological outcome of Covid and how we are doing, but to set out what might be of benefit. Deputies and other representatives in Leinster House would be very happy to meet the Department to discuss these issues. The committee is not the place to do it. Some of the issues are quite small and a quick decision could get them answered. That is what all of us...