Results 16,161-16,180 of 50,453 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Websites (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: My Department’s website www.taoiseach.gov.ie is hosted on the gov.ie central platform managed by the Office of the Government Chief Information Office ( OGCIO ). This is the main government site with over 122 million pageviews in 2020 and it partially complies with the double-A WCAG 2.1 standards and the 4 principles of accessibility in that it is perceivable, operable, understandable...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Websites (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: My Department’s website (www.taoiseach.gov.ie) has a compliant accessibility statement which details the commitments, compliance, and testing details of the website. It contains a commitment to achieve the AA standard under WCAG 2.1 guidelines. The website uses the WCAG level AA guidelines to test how accessible it is. The website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Planning Issues (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Government supports initiatives and projects that promote the sustainable and balanced development of the economic, social and cultural infrastructures of the country. Such development must happen in accordance with all relevant planning legislation, guidelines and processes as determined by the relevant statutory authority who are independent in their decision-making. I and my...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will just conclude on this quickly. We raised the matter at an international stage at the UN Human Rights Council on 15 March. Likewise, the EU has made a number of very clear statements on the situation in Hong Kong, including most recently on 11 March. Again, it is a matter of regret that fundamental freedoms, democratic principles and political pluralism that are essential to Hong...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: In regard to the range of questions on the Middle East, Deputy McDonald correctly raised the issue of the appalling violations of human rights in Gaza and East Jerusalem. The Irish Government has been very consistent and very strong in regard to this issue, both at the UN Security Council and in terms of our engagement at European level. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, has...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Policy (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy does actually. He says nothing is being done and he ignores the very substantive allocation of resources to protect jobs and to create jobs. I must put that on the record. There is a variety of support schemes. The Minister will continue to work with all those involved in the arts and music industry because we realise it has been severely hit and needs help and support. We are...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Policy (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is something we should work on.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Policy (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Exchequer will provide funding for the equalisation fund, but we believe that providing 100% to each local authority is the right thing to do.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 17, inclusive, together. The European Union and international division of my Department works on all aspects of European Union and international policy within my Department, including issues relating to the European Union and the United Kingdom relationship. The division assists me in my role as a member of the European Council and in my other...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Policy (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 9, inclusive, together. The national reform programme is an important element of the European semester, the annual cycle of economic and fiscal policy co-ordination which takes place among EU member states. As part of the semester, each member state prepares and submits a national reform programme to the European Commission each April. This provides...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Policy (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: On the points made by Deputy Boyd Barrett, we are not pulling supports early; we are extending them. Notwithstanding the fact Deputies thought we would be ending them at the end of June, we are not. We are extending the pandemic unemployment payment until September and, with reductions, from September right out to February. By then we will have reopened our economy and society. We will...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Government Communications (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: On Deputy McDonald's comments and views on the recovery plan, today hotels, bed and breakfast accommodation, guest houses and hostels are opening. This is evidence the Government's strategy is working, in terms of reopening society and the economy and getting thousands of people back to work in construction, retail, personal services, hairdressing and childcare, which we are keen on doing....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Government Communications (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The Government Information System, GIS, co-ordinates cross-government communications and comprises the Government press office and the Merrion Street content team. GIS co-ordinates communications for cross-government programmes such as the State's response to Brexit and Covid-19. The team also manages press conferences and media...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: We have invested in Shannon Airport and we will continue to do so. I had a very constructive engagement with all of the public representatives, including Senators and Deputies, from the mid-west region last week in respect of the absolute need for connectivity and enhancing connectivity between Ireland and the rest of the world but particularly between the regions, and in that context...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy as I know of his commitment in respect of this case. My sympathy goes out to the family and to the young girl as well who is going through considerable trauma. I will engage with the Department of Health. Quite a number of patients on medical cannabis get reimbursed if the product is imported under an import licence. The medical cannabis access programme has now been...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy and I have pushed this point both with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister and other colleagues. Cork Corporation introduced a very good scheme two to three years ago and won a national award where it facilitated and incentivised downsizing for people who bought their houses from the corporation many years earlier. Time had moved on...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have not seen that report and I do not buy it, by the way. People can commission reports to get the outcomes that they might want. I have not seen it and I would like to see at first. Yesterday there was a very significant announcement for Cork in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021 in respect of public transport. The urban regeneration and development fund allocation has...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate that this issue been raised and I think the Deputy is the first in the House to wish the leaving certificate cohort of this year the very best in their examinations. He is correct in saying that dhá bhliain aisteach a bhí ann. They have had two very strange and difficult years because of Covid-19 both in fifth year and in the leaving certificate year. We wish them...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Of course, it should be investigated properly and by an independent body.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Sorry.