Results 17,121-17,140 of 50,683 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on Europe oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union and related issues. It last met on 22 March 2021, in advance of the meeting by videoconference of the Members of the European Council on 25 March. It discussed the agenda for that meeting, including Covid-19; Single Market, industrial policy, digital and the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Northern Ireland (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: As I outlined to Deputy Tóibín in the House on 7th October 2020, I would be happy to meet with the families of victims of the Glenanne Gang. Prior to being appointed Taoiseach, I met with victims and the families of victims of the Glenanne gang. What the Glenanne gang did was the worst possible manifestation of evil by any gang, perpetrated on innocent people. However, due to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Northern Ireland (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The New Decade, New Approach Agreement reached in January 2020 was a very significant shared achievement, for the British and Irish governments and for the political parties in Northern Ireland in restoring the power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement to operation. The New Decade New Approach agreement sets out priorities on health, education, infrastructure, welfare,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Citizens' Assembly (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The current Citizens' Assembly on gender equality was established in January 2020 and, following delays caused by Covid-19, resumed its work with on-line meetings in October last year. The Assembly adapted its methods to comply with Public Health Guidelines and is expected to report by June 2021. Consideration is being given to all possibilities with regard to methodology for future...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Communications (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: In line with its obligations under Circular 25/2016, the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, has the following dedicated email address for Oireachtas members: Oireachtas@nesdo.ie Oireachtas members wishing to contact my Department can use the following email address: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Protected Disclosures (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together. My Department has received no protected disclosures from officials within my Department or retired officials during the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Strategies (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The development of new measures of well-being and progress was a commitment in the Programme for Government, in recognition that in order to achieve a well-rounded policy-making system there is a pressing need to move beyond uniquely economic measures. In early February, the Government agreed to an approach to developing an overarching Well-being Framework for Ireland utilising the OECD...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Legal Cases (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: There have been no instances of litigation, or the threat of litigation, in regard to public procurement contracts in my Department for the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Irish Sign Language (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Sign Language Act 2017 provides that all public bodies should provide Irish Sign Language users with free interpretation when accessing or availing of statutory services. While neither my Department nor the body under its aegis, the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), provides any such statutory services to members of the public, both have committed to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Commencement of Legislation (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: There are no Acts, or parts of Acts, under the Department of the Taoiseach awaiting commencement.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Shared Island Unit (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: On 22 October, I set out the Government’s vision and priorities on Shared Island in an online event at Dublin Castle. A Shared Island unit has been established in my Department to coordinate and drive this work as a whole of Government priority. The unit is progressing a Shared Island research programme, working with the National Economic and Social Council, the Economic and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputies have asked quite a range of questions. First, I point out to Deputy Boyd Barrett that the Government is not outsourcing housebuilding. Some 9,500 of the 12,500 social housing properties to be built this year will be built by local authorities and approved social housing bodies. There will be very large social housing provision this year in terms of building. The Government is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: From what I can see, ideology is preventing the building of houses.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Kelly asked me about the provisions in the Land Development Agency Bill in respect of councils and so on.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: Look at the development on Oscar Traynor Road. Up to 900 houses - 853 homes - are stopped. How much longer will it be stopped because ideology keeps getting in the way?

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will participate in a meeting of the members of the European Council which will take place by videoconference tomorrow, Thursday, 25 March and, if necessary, on Friday, 26 March. It had been planned to hold this meeting in person in Brussels. However, due to the continued high, and in some cases growing, prevalence of Covid-19 in a number of member states, the President of the European...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 8, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on housing last met on 8 February and is scheduled to take place again on 19 April. The committee works to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of the programme for Government commitments regarding housing and related matters. There is significant work under way on the implementation of these...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: Following the third wave of Covid-19, we took a decision to reduce the number of times we would meet at Cabinet committee level. This does not mean these issues came off the Government radar or anything like that. In fact, the opposite is the case, especially in terms of mental health and education. A number of specific meetings have taken place in the intervening period with the Minister...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Richmond tabled this question. I say to him that in terms of the alignment of restrictions between Northern Ireland and the Republic, we have been very much aligned up to now and will remain so until 5 April. Indeed, that alignment may extend because, notwithstanding the progress that Northern Ireland has made on the vaccination programme, there may be a phased approach to the easing...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: Issues relating to children and youth affairs are dealt with by the Cabinet committee on social affairs and equality. That committee last met on 30 November 2020 and will meet again shortly. I have regular engagement with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss priority issues relating to their Departments. In addition, a number of meetings have been held between my officials and...