Results 1,021-1,040 of 49,984 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy 100%. He articulated very well the importance of St. Patrick's week in the US, particularly in regard to solidarity with our significant diaspora there. The diaspora really values the engagement with Ireland. It is important in terms of the undocumented. The link with Senators and Congressmen and Congresswomen is extremely important in terms of looking out for the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The economic relationship is enormous. Many thousands of Irish livelihoods and Irish workers depend on the economic relationship between the United States and Ireland. That needs to be said. It has been taken too much for granted. Hence the need for a very proactive engagement for the entirety of St. Patrick’s week across the length and breadth of the US.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising an important matter. As he will know, along with him and others, I have been a champion of an elective site being built on this site. I am also supportive of the project relating to an elective hospital for Galway. The HSE tends to have rather lengthy processes, particularly in terms of getting to the stage of tendering for a project of this scale. My...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will accept that the Government has invested heavily in the Dundalk area over many years.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: It has also invested in Drogheda, and progressively, as the Deputy said. I do not have the background to the meeting next Monday. However, I will check with the Minister regarding the up-to-date position.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The scheme is being examined by the Ministers for housing and public expenditure. As I said earlier, there will be clarity on this next week, when I expect an announcement in respect of the scheme.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The prime focus has to be on tenants, not necessarily on landlords. We just had a debate about value for money and waste. However, when a Minister is taking a few weeks - I am not saying Deputy O'Dea is saying this; I am just saying it to the Opposition - to see whether the scheme can be retargeted or fine tuned in order to make it more targeted for vulnerable and needy people, there are...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The tenant in situ scheme has been effective and impactful, certainly last year and the year before.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Minister is looking to target that scheme more effectively, particularly for people who are very vulnerable. We will have clarity next week on the situation for the remainder of this year.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I addressed this earlier. I make the point that as a percentage of the overall population, the number of children with special and additional needs is increasing fairly significantly. For example, in 2018, about 42,000 children benefited from domiciliary care allowance. That has risen to 64,500 in a short number of years. We need to provide additional spaces in this regard. Officials...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The decision by New Look is a devastating blow for the workers in the first instance. We will do everything we can, through the Government agencies, to see if we can secure alternative employment for those workers. Clonmel is a fine and very attractive town, and a significant hub in the region. I will talk to the Minister about a timeline for call...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: My clear belief is that there is a constitutional right for every child to have a school place and an education. I met yesterday with eight Ministers to discuss the establishment of a disability unit within the Department of An Taoiseach. There has been and there will continue to be significant investment in special education, particularly in the context of additional special schools and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The people who elected their TDs-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: With respect, a Cheann Comhairle, I have had to listen for five or six minutes-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I want to make a point. The people have elected TDs-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: People would be shocked by the idea that their TDs do not have the right to speak or ask questions-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----whether they are in a political party or not. We are not going to be railroaded, browbeaten or intimidated by the Opposition in terms of its tactics. I will be very happy to facilitate a debate on the issue of flooding in Cork. The Deputy asked last week for a debate on the Housing Commission and there will be statements on it on Thursday. If we can do it this week, we will.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: No, it is not.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I have listened to quite a lot. I have observed with some interest the growing alliance between the Labour Party and the Sinn Féin Party in this House.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Opposition keeps using the phrase that the Government is trying to ram this through. It seems to me that the Opposition has been trying to ram through a new order in the House and a new precedent.