Results 17,241-17,260 of 50,683 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: We are on target to substantially administer the first dose to 72,000 over-85s by the end of the first week of March and arrangements are being made to vaccinate homebound elderly people in conjunction with GPs and local community teams. That will be followed with the subcohort of people aged between 80 and 84. By the end of this week, approximately 1,200 GP practices will have participated...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: Yes, I know that. The vaccines are being administered as we receive them. The chairman has been publicly saying that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The chairman, Brian MacCraith, and Paul Reid have said this publicly on a number of occasions. We have said as soon as we get vaccines in the aim is to use them.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The aim is to use the vaccines within the week.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Bríd Smith for raising the issue. In the first instance, it is not the Government's intention to go to war with anybody. I acknowledge the workers have been critical to the development of water services and that through their dedication and commitment they have developed water services on which so many of us rely today. A significant number of stakeholders are involved...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy knows that the Government is bringing in such legislation and that our legislation has been fully and comprehensively informed, from a legal perspective, by the Attorney General. I ask the Deputy to wait for the Government legislation to be published and I ask that all parties in the House, in a spirit of co-operation, would work on that legislation. It is being formulated to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Without question, the vaccination programme and its roll-out are critical parts of the wider strategy to deal with the pandemic. The vast majority of people in Ireland are adhering to the guidelines and restrictions. That is having an impact in getting the hospital and intensive care unit, ICU, numbers down and reducing community transmission as...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, I thank the Deputy for raising this very serious issue. I am aware an "RTÉ Investigates" programme due to air this evening will focus on the St. Patrick's Guild illegal birth registrations. The illegality of what took place is shocking, particularly for those affected. I refer to the trauma, anguish and hurt that people are now experiencing as a result of this unacceptable...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: European Council Meetings (3 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: Since 27 June 2020, four meetings of the European Council have taken place in Brussels on the following dates: Special European Council meeting, 17-21 July 2020, held in Brussels Special European Council meeting, 1-2 October 2020, held in Brussels European Council Meeting, 15-16 October 2020, held in Brussels European Council Meeting, 10-11 December 2020, held in Brussels In addition, 5...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021 Plan for Living with COVID-19was drawn up based on inputs provided by Departments as regards the social and economic impacts of measures and having regard to NPHET’s public health advice including proposed measures. Translation costs were €2,010.48. No other costs were incurred.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Public Procurement Contracts (3 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: My Department liaises closely with the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) on all matters related to public procurement and monitors all areas of expenditure on an ongoing basis to ensure that value for money is being achieved. My Department's Finance Unit has not identified the awarding of any non-compliant contracts in 2018 or 2019. Although there is active monitoring of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Paindéim (3 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 9, inclusive, together. D’fhoilsigh mo roinn ceithre phríomhdhoiciméad polasaí faoi COVID – 19 ó thús na paindéime: Plean Gníomhartha Náisiúnta na hÉireann; an Léarscáil Bóithre chun Sochaí agus Gnó a Athoscailt; Teacht Aniar agus Téarnamh 2020-2021: An Plean...

New Decade, New Approach Agreement: Statements (24 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I welcome this opportunity to speak about the New Decade, New Approach agreement of January last year, restoring to full operation the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, including the Executive, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the North-South Ministerial Council. On 9 January 2020, on behalf of the Irish and British Governments, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Simon...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: The motion tabled by the Deputy's party's called for an extension of the commission to review the destruction of the audio tapes and then to allow for the salvaging of remaining testimony. Overnight, the Minister has indicated that he is in a position to salvage the tapes and that back-up tapes have been found. I did not hear his speech earlier but he indicated that to us yesterday and has...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is why we took the position we took in respect of the motion this morning.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: Our deepest sympathies go to all those, particularly the family and relatives of George Nkencho, in terms of what happened in that tragic event in Hartstown. Any fatal shooting of this kind is deeply distressing for all and for the entire community. The local community experienced real trauma as a result of this event. Such incidents, thankfully, are rare in Ireland but this will be fully...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: Prioritisation is always key to any workload in any of our organisations.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising that issue. His colleagues have raised it a number of times previously. There is an issue to be examined. I will certainly talk to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, about it in terms of the application of the Local Government Fund in respect of Galway city and Galway county.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have been a long-term supporter of CE schemes in whatever position I held, particularly when I was in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I preserved them and gave additional supports in particular to those over the age of 55. I was the first Minister to bring in the scheme for those over the age of 55 to give longer terms for people on CE schemes. My view is that CE...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will follow that up with the Minister for Education. I understand the point the Deputy is making. I do not know why they have not responded yet but I will come back to the Deputy on it.