Results 12,241-12,260 of 50,353 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Work of the Shared Island Unit: An Taoiseach (28 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will finish by saying, because the greenway was mentioned, that if any of the members have projects or ideas, they should let us know-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Work of the Shared Island Unit: An Taoiseach (28 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----so we can progress them in a programmatic way. We are anxious to undertake greenways. A map of all-island greenways will shortly be produced by the Department of Transport. The next question then will be how we can connect all these greenways over time. It will involve a ten-year plan. Existing greenways are everywhere. The question, on an all-island basis, is how we connect all of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Work of the Shared Island Unit: An Taoiseach (28 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: The committee is very welcome. I thank all the people in the Department as well, including Aingeal, Eoghan and all the team, for the work they do in this unit. This initiative is genuinely gaining critical mass and many people in the research community are involved at different levels. Therefore, this is progressing in an orderly way. I thank the committee.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, on Deputy Mac Lochlainn's point, I had a very worthwhile visit to Derry recently and met with the North West Regional Development Group. I think it is a very progressive group that leaves politics outside the door and its members do a lot of good work in terms of the economic and social development of the north west. We had a very good meeting in respect of commitments North and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 14, inclusive, together. The Government co-ordination committee last met on Monday, 25 April and is scheduled to meet again on 9 May. The committee generally meets in advance of Government meetings to review the activity of Cabinet committees, review the agenda for that week's Government meeting, discuss political priorities and review...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Mac Lochlainn raised the issue of the impact of Brexit on fisheries, which was significant because the approach of the Government of the United Kingdom to the fishery negotiations left it until the 11th hour. A no-deal Brexit would have been ruinous and had appalling consequences for our fishing industry. Brexit has led to a reduction, particularly in terms of the pelagic fleet,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 10, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on Europe oversees the implementation of programme for Government commitments in regard to the European Union and related issues. It generally meets in advance of a meeting of the European Council. The Cabinet committee discusses the agenda for European Council meetings as well as other programme for...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Government Communications (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: On Deputy Mac Lochlainn's question, the inquiry is not completed. We have to await the recommendations that flow from it. On the mandatory provision in the Birth Information and Tracing Bill, the Deputy has to accept that the Bill represents a dramatic advancement on previous Bills circulated in previous Dáileanna regarding this issue. It represents a transformative approach to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Government Communications (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. The Government Information Service comprises the Government Press Office and the Merrion Street content team. The Government Information Service has the following responsibilities: to provide the Taoiseach and Government with press office support; ensure strong collaboration and co-ordination among press and communications...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Michael Healy-Rae is correct about the extraordinary work that is now going on within the Passport Office. Passport service staff numbers have increased by more than 300 since June 2021. There is a competition under way at the moment which, when completed, will see staffing numbers of 900. That is a doubling of staff numbers since last summer. It is engaging in intensive training...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: That is a matter for the local authority. That is why we have a city council.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: Dáil Éireann, genuinely, cannot pronounce on school wardens. We have provided funding. We have provided €360 million to local authorities for walking and cycling etc. Surely the local authority will find the funding to deal with this issue, which is a matter for it in the first instance.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: I actively travel down to the beach, generally speaking. The walk and swim are part of the one solid continuum, if the Deputy understands what I mean. It is much better for you. Regarding littering, some good initiatives have been undertaken voluntarily as well. I see volunteer groups around the country that gather litter on beaches. Human behaviour is the key to this issue, but we will...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will engage with the Minister of State and the HSE in respect of this. An additional €65 million was provided in 2022 for disability services, so we must now get delivery on that. Recruitment continues to be a challenge across the service, in particular in respect of therapists. This is an issue we must work with the HSE to examine further and to get speedier recruitment processes...