Results 16,761-16,780 of 50,572 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. To cut straight to the point, there has been strong delivery of new homes in rural areas over recent years. Approximately 26,000 rural house planning permissions were granted in the past five years. In the same period, nearly 93% of that number of rural homes were actually built. There is ongoing work. The Minister for Housing, Local Government...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, I commend the Deputy on organising that commemoration. The people of west Limerick more than did their bit in terms of helping the struggle for Irish independence. Indeed, my late grandfather was close in the Mitchelstown area with those in west Limerick in a number of endeavours. I wish the Deputy well in that regard. They did not die in vain because we have a country, overall and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will know, the Government will not oppose the Bill tomorrow. The Government wants to work with the Deputy's party in respect of the legislation it is bringing forward tomorrow to deal with the leasing issue. The leasing issue is not the dominant form of house provision. As I mentioned earlier, in terms of institutional investment and to give a sense of perspective, 5% of all...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is our policy position. We do not want to see, in any shape or form, an over-use of the Part V mechanism via the leasing option.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Nationally, we are making progress in the battle against Covid-19. In terms of hospitalisations and ICU numbers, the situation is extremely positive. For example, as of this morning, there were 132 people in hospital and 39 in intensive care. The vaccination programme is making great progress, with close to 32% of the eligible population having received a first dose and 12% having received...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should listen to what I said. I was very clear that this is not Government policy.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have said it very clearly. We do not in any shape or form deem it acceptable that institutional investment of this kind would buy up estates that are already built. We have said that now. By the way, just to put things in perspective-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----institutional ownership of residential units is less than 1% of total housing stock and 5% of all rental tenancies. Just to give some perspective to the rather long-winded introduction that the Deputy gave-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will make a further point. The Deputy also needs to analyse-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----her own party's affordability policies and the assertion that it would deliver 20,000 homes each year. She cannot say where, how or by whom.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Let us take Clondalkin, for example, where Sinn Féin and parties of the left voted against the building of 975 homes, which included 30% social housing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: In Tallaght, for example, Sinn Féin opposed 500 homes, of which 80% would be social or affordable houses. Sinn Féin continues to oppose house developments in this country.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: That gives the lie to its so-called commitment to social and affordable housing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: It has voted against every affordable scheme-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----that is brought before the House.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the genuine points the Deputy has articulated. No local authority should be on the other side of this. Let that message go out loud and clear from Government. No local authority should be on the other side of this, engaging in a long lease with these institutional investors in that estate. A limited degree of leasing has some importance, but leasing over the long term does...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First of all, I will state unequivocally that the purchasing by institutional investors of completed housing estates is unacceptable and not consistent with Government policy. We do not want institutional investors competing with first-time buyers. Our priority is first-time buyers. Our priority is additional supply of housing. The cornerstone of our housing policy is to build 50,000...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together. I spoke with First Minister Arlene Foster last Wednesday to wish her well after her announcement that she would be stepping down as First Minister of Northern Ireland and as leader of the DUP. I have had a positive working relationship with Arlene in a variety of roles over the years. She has served during what has been a period of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland operates in accordance with established guidelines for Cabinet Committees and where appropriate, substantive issues are referred to Government for discussion and approval. In general terms, the Cabinet Committee oversees implementation of relevant Programme for Government commitments in the area of Brexit and Northern Ireland, and ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Policy Functions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The role of the Social Policy and Public Service Reform Division is to assist me, as Taoiseach, and the Government in delivering programme for Government objectives and public policies and services which help create a socially inclusive and fair society. Specifically, the Division assists the work of: - the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality and the associated senior officials'...