Results 14,501-14,520 of 50,453 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: We are giving out free antigen tests. More than 100,000 close contacts have received one. More than 130,000 in the agriculture sector received free antigen tests when required as part of serial testing. A total of 22,000 people in third-level colleges have received free antigen tests while there were 8,000 yesterday for schools. We are averaging 4,000 free close-contact antigen tests per day.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy on South Africa. We must pay tribute to the South African authorities for the honesty, transparency and speed with which they have responded to Omicron. They should not be punished. We have to develop mechanisms to support countries that identify very quickly and in a transparent way such variants. The Omicron variant is likely to be in this country. There are now...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: The committee has discretion in that regard.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: First of all, as a general point nothing at all is rushed in this House. It takes a very long time to get things done in this House and to get legislation through this House. I make no apologies on housing because we have had too much delay on housing right across-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is related. Members of the Opposition are having an each-way bet every day and every week on a whole range of issues. It seems to me that it suits the Opposition at times that there is paralysis in getting things done. Let us consider the Maritime Area Planning Bill, which is essential. Last week, Deputies were complaining that a major wind energy company was pulling out because we...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----and it will be given more consideration, but it needs to be dealt with. They have been talking about it for years.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: When I became Taoiseach, I was determined to get it published and through the House in order to create a landscape for the next ten years so that people who want to develop wind energy in this country, and fulfil our climate change objectives, can get on with it. I make no apologies for that either.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: The planning Bill will go to the committee. On mandatory quarantine, the Deputies know what that is. It was not so long ago that they were all screaming for it in a previous phase of the pandemic. We could not bring it in fast enough.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is the same Bill almost coming back in. Now, the Deputies are claiming that it is outrageous that they have not seen it. The same principles apply. Likewise, on the public health measures, which way do the Deputies want it?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: They wanted a zero Covid approach at one time. Now, they are saying we are bringing in legislation that will be restrictive of citizens' rights. It is more incoherence and inconsistency. They label the Government with that from time to time. Every single month it changes in here. I am simply saying that the public health measures have to be extended. That is all we are doing. The...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Minister will check that out. Perhaps the Deputy will put down a Topical Issue. We will follow that through. I take the Deputy's point.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, will look at these, but we will have to see whether it can be fitted in this week's schedule. We have no difficulty with this. Deputy Mac Lochlainn knows the Minister is prepared to come before the House and debate that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: There is a need sometimes for a bit of balance.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: What was that? Is it the carbon tax?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I gave an answer on fuel.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I gave an answer on the carbon tax.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: As I said to the Deputy and his colleague last week-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: Okay. I appreciate that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, I believe in a stronger public transport system throughout rural Ireland. The Minister for Transport and for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ryan, published a substantive investment programme in rural transport recently which represents a significant advance on what we have had heretofore. It is very important we improve transport overall, including public...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I could go through all the various schemes we have announced: LEADER having gone from €44 million to €48 million, which will fund the existing programme, the new transitional programme, the community development programme - €5 million, and island infrastructure - €2 million plus. I hope we can do some good work down in Dursey Island, for example, which would be a...