Results 221-240 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this. There are some aspects of vetting that make no sense and what the Deputy raised is one of them. If you are vetted for teaching, for example, and seek to train at a GAA, soccer or rugby club, that vetting should apply. We get huge complaints about backlogs and delays, which can get in the way of providing services. I have views on this and will talk to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, met with the Minister yesterday on this topic.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Last Wednesday, sorry. Business cases are important and all projects have to go through the gateway process in terms of the Department of public expenditure. As the Deputy knows, on another day in here - his own party is fairly adept at it - expenditures that are just approved without going through those gateways-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: It is not 60 years.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: If the project had not gone through those gateways, the Deputy would be the first to attack it in terms of expenditure.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: It is going through a process. Hopefully, we will get it to come out the other end.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: In November 2022, the European Commission adopted Ireland's territorial just transition plan and associated programme. That was launched in April 2023. There is a total commitment of €169 million to the just transition process in the midlands designated territory, as approved by the Commission. Of the total, €84.5 million is from the EU just transition fund out to 2027. ...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Dempsey for raising this issue. It is unacceptable there are such high waiting times for those seeking driving tests. As she has acknowledged, the Road Safety Authority has developed an action plan. We are beginning to see a reduction, as she said. We have to continue to focus on that. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, has been very much on top of this and he has been...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Bheadh sé deacair rátaí difriúla a chur i bhfeidhm ó chathair go cathair ach admhaím go bhfuil fadhb ann. There is a problem in terms of the cost of housing for workers and key workers. Through housing, I would like to see if we can create specific, affordable housing provision for key workers in given locations and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Yesterday, I read the education indicators. Approximately 94% of all children between the ages of three and five are now in early years services, which is a huge increase from where we were a decade ago. It represents substantial progress. When we talk about State-led care, we have to be very clear as to how we intend to increase that provision and the methodology by which we would do it....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will ask the Minister to examine that and see what we can do to help.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will talk to the Minister responsible in this area. I need to get the background to this before I commit. There are obviously reasons why that is the case right now. On the surface, it does not seem equitable but I will have it examined.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I know but I am just making the point. I have made the point previously about the most effective way to investigate or have inquiries into matters of this kind, given the enormity of what had to be covered in the decision yesterday. I had no issue with that, obviously, but I have broader concerns about the commission of investigation methodology and model as a basis for dealing with issues...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy heard earlier, there are no delays in issuing of visas and there is no wrangling going on. There have been about 45 in total, adults and children. The original WHO agreement was one on one but we did not observe that in many respects because there are complex issues involving families, siblings left behind and the need for carers. Logistically, evacuating children from Gaza...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----out of Gaza as quickly as possible will be done.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Minister met with clinicians in Letterkenny recently and there has been significant investment in Letterkenny hospital over the years. There can be challenges. There have been contributions from the Republic in investment in Altnagelvin. Looking at Donegal geographically, particularly Inishowen, the cross-Border services and capacity need to be strengthened to facilitate access. Under...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: An Garda Síochána will be to the fore in examining this and the background to it. I cannot comment on the case. Perhaps it is still under investigation and, potentially, a follow-through on that. I will talk to the Deputy afterwards. I was not aware of the ownership there.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this serious issue. I agree on the need for additional capacity in the planning sense within local authorities and generally within the planning system. I was in the House yesterday and a question about solar panels and agricultural land was raised. People also want guidelines to restrict onshore wind. We need a general debate on how we plan this because...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy. I will ask the Ministers to examine that. That seems very precise detail and I do not know what timeline governs it but I will certainly have it examined.

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question because the nitrates derogation is of course a critical element in the economic sustainability of many family farms and the broader rural economy in Ireland. I acknowledge the huge efforts being made by farmers in terms of the water quality issue and compliance. Water quality remains the fundamental issue as does the Habitats Directive....