Results 17,341-17,360 of 50,683 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (17 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: Following success in the elections in November, I wrote to then President-elect Biden and to Vice President-elect Harris to offer my personal congratulations. I spoke with the President-elect by phone on 10 November. We discussed the great value we both attach to warm and close bilateral relations, the importance of protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the US’s unwavering support...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I understand the issue raised by the Deputies but we are in the middle of global pandemic. There is no easy answer to this. Provision was made for people who need tests for essential purposes and those involved in essential services and so forth. Additional staff have been hired. Some 40 temporary driver testers have been hired and 36 who were approved for retention were rehired in 2020....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: We are not rushing through CETA. It has been in provisional operation for three years, since the Commission signed it, and it has been of considerable benefit to quite a number of Irish companies that export goods and services to Canada, which underpins jobs in Ireland. That dimension of the debate should be articulated a bit more publicly because it is getting no airing. As a country, we...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: This global pandemic has caused enormous stress, anxiety and strain on people generally, and no more so than on younger people in terms of the degree to which their lives have been upended. The routine pattern of life has been completely disrupted. Particularly in the context of this year's leaving certificate, given that the students lost some months last year and have lost some this year,...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Minister is engaging with all the partners. It is the correct way to do this so that when we make an announcement, it will have been thought through and there will be clarity for the students. There has been reform of the leaving certificate over time and that should be acknowledged. There will be ongoing reform of the leaving certificate. Its one greatest strength is that it is...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Government does not benefit from reduced emissions; society does. We are all the Government, at the end of the day. The State is the taxpayer and represents all citizens. It is part of the social contract that we improve the environment and the climate for all of us, and improve our quality of life. In the context of the remote working strategy, everything will be looked at in the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have to disagree with the Deputy. It is not worse than it was. I do not know how he can say that because I am told the final three months of last year had the highest number of new licences issued of any months in 2020, with almost 900 new licences issued. Licences for a felling volume of some 2 million tonnes were issued in that time, which was 40% of the output for the year. This...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will discuss this issue with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, who will engage with the commission. The commission is independent but, on the other hand, the point in the context of the 2004 legislation, which provides for the preservation of records, is a fair one. That issue needs to be reconciled and sorted.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am somewhat taken aback by the Deputy's contribution because I do not think it is fair or balanced. He seems to be progressively undermining the role of the Business Committee. In olden times, Government used to come in, lay out the schedule and vote it through. That is not the position now and Government will entertain suggestions and be part of the Business Committee to discuss the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I confirm that Deputy Ryan has made that announcement in respect of this road on a significant part of which construction had already commenced, including a bus lane and increased pedestrian measures. I assure the Deputy that, from my perspective, Deputy O'Dea has been a tireless advocate for Moyross and the entire area, as have Deputy Niall Collins and councillors. They engage and have...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: Jan O'Sullivan as well. We had an interesting presentation by Deputy O'Dea last week and, in his inimitable way, he brought home the importance of getting that project done but also the importance of wider issues of economic development in the Moyross area and greater opportunities which, through the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, and other initiatives Government will...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: About 60% of those travelling are returned Irish holidaymakers. There is a sense that €500 is not a sufficient disincentive to travel abroad. That will be increased. The Government is considering increasing that to €2,000 to act as a significant deterrent to people travelling because all non-essential travelling should be avoided. It is the intention to bring forward...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: In terms of legacy, I just want to assure the Deputy that the Irish Government and British Government are committed to a process for dealing with legacy issues and to the full implementation of the agreements that are in place. In respect of Deputy Barry's point, first of all, I find a difficulty with reconciling a zero Covid approach with his approach in terms of the three days. Be that...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: Sorry, the Deputy raised these issues and I gave my response.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have no issue with it but we are not in a position to do it this week because people were looking for significant debates on Covid.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: Every week this happens. From my perspective, I have to say that I think there is a responsibility on the Deputy's party as well as on all of us to tread carefully. The past three weeks in Northern Ireland have witnessed different parties upping the ante and elevating issues instead of looking at it from a perspective of diffusing issues. There is that responsibility as well on all of us.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: A Cheann Comhairle-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I just think there is an attempt to browbeat everybody into a particular position here. The Deputy has other mechanisms-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: No, the Deputy is using language like "astonished" and that. The Business Committee orders the business of the House on a weekly basis and we make a contribution to the Business Committee, like every other party and every other grouping in the House. I take issue with the political grandstanding that is so evident.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: There are members of the Deputy's party questioning whether people should even be joining policing at this stage. Some of her colleagues have made that comment.