Results 641-660 of 51,735 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: National Risk Assessment (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: The National Risk Assessment provides an opportunity to identify and discuss significant strategic risks which may arise for Ireland. It was last published in September 2024, and it is anticipated that the National Risk Assessment 2025 will be prepared later this year. It is important to note that the National Risk Assessment is just one element of the overall system of preparedness and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Circular 23/07: Post-Entry Education – Refund of Fees, Study Leave and Examination Leave sets out the arrangements to facilitate Departments in building appropriate skill and expertise levels among their employees and in supporting officers’ efforts in the area of self-development and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Artificial Intelligence (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: National Cyber Security Centre and Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the public service are central to the Department of the Taoiseach's consideration of how AI might be used to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department. In recent months, employees of the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Department of the Taoiseach liaises with An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces on all matters relating to the security of Government Buildings, and does not provide any information about security matters. The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of the Department, does not own CCTV cameras.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Policies (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Since 23 January 2025, the Department of the Taoiseach has been working across Government – including through the vehicle of Cabinet Committees – to progress the implementation of the Programme for Government by: - finalising a new National Housing Plan; - working on a new Government Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity; - overseeing the review of the National...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Strategies (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: There are a number of national strategies and action plans which are currently in operation that are either under the remit of the Department of the Taoiseach or that the Department supports the implementation of, such as: - Housing for All - Climate Action Plan 2025 - From Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child Poverty and Well-being 2023-2025 - Understanding Life in Ireland:...

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: It is a loan facility.

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I attended a meeting of the European Council on 26 June in Brussels. The substantial items on the agenda included support for Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, European security and defence and the preparation of upcoming EU summits with third country partners and regions. The Council also returned to enhancing Europe’s competitiveness in the context of global economic...

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

Micheál Martin: To be fair to the Deputy, he has been a tireless advocate on the issue of driver testing. He has unearthed many issues. What he has just articulated seems ridiculous and should not be the case. Those presenting for a test should not be penalised in the manner in question. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Canney, to liaise with the Deputy and also engage with the RSA and...

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

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the case of Rowan. I understand he spoke to the Minister of State with responsibiity for special needs education, Deputy Moynihan, last evening. He will follow it up as quickly as he can to see whether he can get a resolution to the issue, having regard to its background. We are going to change the application process to have earlier timelines and a common...

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....