Results 481-500 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: First of all, I think about €3 billion is now being spent on medicines. I can clarify that. There is an ongoing issue, and there will be, because of the rapidity of discovery and new drugs coming onto the market. Ireland has a very significant pharmaceutical presence. I have engaged with most of the CEOs of the pharmaceutical companies in respect of tariffs, trade and so on and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: We should work to improve our timelines.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Smith for raising this issue. I know this is an issue close to his heart. The Department is committed to offering all available and appropriate supports to all schools. Last year, the then Department of Education provided per capita grants to all recognised primary and post-primary schools. There are two grants: the capitation grant and the ancillary grant. Schools have...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will discuss this with the Minister for Health. The Deputy has mentioned the GPs, negotiations and discussions. There can be a number of issues on that agenda but there should be a mechanism by which the clinical guidelines can be adopted, but I will leave that to the Minister to discuss with the various interested bodies and come back to the Deputy on it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Dempsey very much for raising what is a very important point. If we look at our climate change objectives, I can see the logic of what she is advocating for. It might be difficult in terms of implementation. Navan does not yet have the rail line, although the Government is committed to it and work is under way. I will talk to the Minister involved and raise the point Deputy...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. There are a range of grants out there now for vacant houses and for dereliction. They are quite substantial, and there are a lot of applicants. I know they may be more on the individual level. There is the town centre renewal programme. I think there is a town centre renewal officer in Kilcock. I know that the Minister will, obviously in the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Government is essentially five months - close to six months - in office. This will require capital allocation and provision. We are working off the budget of last year in terms of the estimates that were provided to every Department, so there are limits to what the Government can do in 2025 if one takes on board that substantial additional capital moneys were allocated to housing - up...

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: Perhaps we could also then fine-tune the application process to reduce the necessity for appeals.

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: Could I just welcome-----

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----a special guest, Aaron O'Shea, who is here with us.

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: I welcome Aaron. I meant to do it at the beginning. He is aged 14 and from County Clare. He is here with his parents Fidelma and Martin O'Shea as part of the Make-A-Wish Ireland. He met the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, earlier. I wish him a very warm welcome.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: No matter how often Deputy McDonald tries to misrepresent the reforms the Government announced last week in respect of the rental sector, it just will not cut it. There are very strong protections in the rent pressure zones, stronger than was the case previously, as a result of the reforms we are going to introduce. In particular, there is a cap of 2% for existing tenants and a cap tied to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry. Could the Deputy please repeat that?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this very serious and sensitive issue for the family concerned. I will ask the Minister for justice to deal directly with Deputy Bacik and with the family as well in respect of endeavouring to bring closure to this for all concerned and a resolution of the issues outstanding.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: In the past two to three years, some fundamental decisions were taken, for example, to provide free access to school meals, which is something that was not there previously on the current scale. Free access to school books has had a significant positive impact on low-income families. The Deputy does not acknowledge that at all. The recent SILC report is concerning. I prioritised the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: First of all-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: Overall, the Irish people are very angry.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: We have taken action.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: Significant work has been undertaken in respect of endometriosis. It has been recognised as part of the work of the women's health task force. It was included in the women's health action plan 2024-2025. The previous Minister, Stephen Donnelly, did exceptional work on this issue. Regional hubs have been established in the Rotunda and Coombe hospitals, the National Maternity Hospital,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2025)

Micheál Martin: I certainly do not. Over the last number of years, I have taken a direct interest in the work of the NPWS and the biodiversity issue. We doubled the staff of the NPWS and we bought additional lands to transform into national parks. We now have a biodiversity officer in every local authority. When he was Minister of State, Senator Malcolm Noonan, did a lot of good work and I worked very...