Results 9,901-9,920 of 50,294 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: At a more general level in respect of the Irish healthcare service, the evidence is overwhelming. Certainly, in the last two decades and possibly the last three decades or longer, the Irish health service is actually increasing survival on all the main killers of people. With cardiac disease, cancer, stroke and chronic diseases generally such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have to stress the point that based on the figures, we are now living much longer as a nation for different reasons.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry; the health service has improved dramatically. Cancer care has improved dramatically because, and I stress this point, of the concentration of services. I saw all the protests against the concentration of cancer services in regions all over this country. I saw the pickets and large meetings that people like the Deputy excel in. While people in the Deputy's position are entitled...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Is the Deputy for it?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I take it the Deputy is for that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy needs to state he is for it because-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: There is a new one which stipulates that patients who are acutely ill will no longer be brought there. I ask the Deputy to think about that because clinicians are making these decisions and not him or me. Clinicians are telling us it is not safe to do what the Deputy is suggesting they should do.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is saying that the situation with the ambulance roster and so on constitutes closure. I put it to him that patients who are acutely ill should go to the hospital that guarantees them the best outcome. We need to be patient-focused. I put that to him very strongly.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Construction started in 2016 on this hospital. This Government came in last year. I am intrigued by the Deputy's line of questioning. She seems to be suggesting-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----that we play the contractor's game.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy seems to want the Government to look at it from the perspective of the contractor. Her estimates are the contractor's estimates of the claims. That does not mean that ultimately becomes a reality. Each claim is being contested through a process. Many have been contested and there is a system of arbitration. It would be foolhardy and wrong for me, the Government or the Deputy...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: That would not be the correct approach and the last thing politicians should do in terms of projects, which I religiously avoid,-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----is to announce global figures that X project will cost X, Y or Z. The Deputy is trying to create a narrative that the claims are a new reality, but those claims will be contested by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government will hold firm on this. We are in a process but will get this hospital complete and are working with all concerned.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising what I have said consistently is the most important issue facing us as a society and will be for some time, namely, the provision of adequate housing to deal with a population which is growing significantly and is now over 5 million people. The Government is on track to meet its targets for completions this year as set out in Housing for All and could well...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----including students coming from abroad. That is an enforcement issue. I commend the council on taking action because it is dangerous. Lives could be lost in a situation like that if proper fire precautions and provisions are ignored and a fire certificate not issued. I was concerned when I read the article. I think the council is pursuing the issue and taking the necessary steps....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Ar dtús báire, ní aontaím leis an Teachta. Is í an aidhm atá ag an Rialtas seo ná ospidéal den chéad scoth a chur ar fáil ionas go mbeidh seirbhísí den scoth ar fáil do leanaí na tíre, ní hé amháin sa lá atá inniu ann ach sna blianta atá le teacht. I first make the point that the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----well in advance of the formation of this Government and I note that the Deputy’s comment is very much focused on this Government. For future generations of children and the children of today it is one of the most important projects that is being managed by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, NPHDB, and that the Government is clearly overseeing. I am in no doubt...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and disadvantage the State. I am very clear that we need to complete this hospital and to create a first-class facility. We also acknowledge the work done in Tallaght and the paediatric outpatient and emergency centre that was opened there as part of this project. By November 2021 it would address up to 17,000 outpatient and 25,000 emergency attendances alone. The facility at...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----approved €1.433 billion has been drawn down to date. It is a live contract and I am not going to prejudice the enforcement of that existing contract by getting into a decision about cost, hypothetical or otherwise, at this particular time. I do not think that would be advantageous to the taxpayer. I visited the hospital recently on 17 November. Substantial progress has been...