Results 18,101-18,120 of 50,683 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. I agree with the Deputy that there must be a full public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane - a husband, a father, a brother and a son. Such a public inquiry, as the Deputy said, was provided for in the agreement reached between the Irish and British Governments at Weston Park in 2001. The Oireachtas is of one mind on this. We...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Future of Media Commission (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Future of Media Commission has met on two occasions, 29 October and 12 November. I provided a pre-recorded video message to mark the Commission’s inaugural meeting on 29 October. The video message is available to view on the Commission’s website, www.futureofmediacommission.ie.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Shared Island Unit (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government sets out the Government’s commitments on a Shared Island and to working with all communities and traditions on the island to build consensus around a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. On 22 October, I set out the Government’s vision and priorities on Shared Island in an online event at Dublin Castle. Over 800 people...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Contracts (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: The National Economic and Social Development Office, an agency under the remit of the Department of the Taoiseach, has not entered into any third-party contracts in 2019 or 2020 for the operation of community and voluntary organisations.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Shared Island Unit (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 to 140, inclusive, together. The Programme for Government sets out the Government’s commitments on a Shared Island and to working with all communities and traditions on the island to build consensus around a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. On 22 October, I set out the Government’s vision and priorities on...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Nov 2020)

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. Under Department of Finance Circular 40/02, my Department makes annual returns to the Comptroller and Auditor General in respect of contracts above a...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Legislative Process (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: My Department has not made any applications to the Oireachtas Business Committee to waive pre-legislative scrutiny of primary and secondary legislation sponsored or initiated in my Department in the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: My Department’s Data Protection Officer is a designated official at Assistant Principal (Higher) grade.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Tribunals of Inquiry (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: The two Commissions of Investigation for which I am the specified Minister under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 are the IBRC Commission of Investigation, for which Judge Brian Cregan is the Sole Member and the NAMA Commission of Investigation, for which Judge John Cooke is the Sole Member. Both Commissions are fully independent in their investigations. Excluding third party...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Official Travel (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: The St. Patrick’s Day reception in the White House is hosted by the President of the United States. Those attending, including those proposed by the Taoiseach of the day, are invited and attend as his guests. As I set out in my previous reply, I am advised that it is not the practice for the names of those invited by the US President to such events to be made public.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Judicial Appointments (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 to 152, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will recall from his time in Government and his involvement in the decision-making process for judicial appointments, nominations for judicial appointment are decided by the Government on a proposal from the Minister for Justice. The Government decided on the nomination of the person to whom the Deputy refers...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been working across government to integrate data and insights relevant to management of the Covid-19 pandemic since it began. The HPSC, HSE, and Department of Health, have been providing a great deal of data through the COVID-19 datahub. In addition, economic and other data are very relevant to understanding the impacts of restrictions, where supports are needed, and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Kelly asked about the €175 threshold for the tax rebate. Deputy Ó Cuív raised this with me at a parliamentary party meeting some time ago and I know Deputy Howlin raised it in the House during the debate. The Government is responding to this and an amendment will be introduced to significantly reduce that threshold. We need a threshold from an administrative-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: There will be a threshold and it will be significantly reduced. The catalyst has been the UK's decision to leave the European Union. We will respond to that in the form of an amendment which will come before the House. One of my big concerns generally is the preparedness of Irish businesses for Brexit - deal or no deal. It is important that all companies plan and avail of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: -----and research and therefore there must be a good pathway in terms of their individual careers and then we can make progress.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. The Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland was formally established by the Government on 6 July 2020, and had its first meeting on 29 October 2020. The next meeting of the Cabinet committee is scheduled to take place on 23 November 2020. In general terms, the Cabinet committee will oversee implementation of relevant programme...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on education will have its first meeting on 26 November. The committee will oversee implementation of the programme for Government commitments in the area of education, including preparing for post-Covid education. I have had regular engagement and meetings with the Minister for Education and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: First, I am disappointed with the presentation made by Deputy Boyd Barrett, in which he posited the coincidence between the reopening of schools and the rise in the number of cases. He has been a long-term advocate of looking at these issues from an informed perspective. We have done our research, as have NPHET and the HSE. The level of cases after considerable testing in schools is 2% at...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: It is not a narrow definition at all. Equally, in terms of international research in Denmark, France and other countries, there is no evidence that schools act as a vector for the transmission of the disease. The evidence is not strong in that regard. It has been a good thing for children that we reopened the schools. We should all support that unequivocally. Being out of school will...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: It is very simple. The public health authorities are not convinced about the efficacy of rapid testing or antigen testing. There is no mystery. That has been the position from the get-go and the beginning of the pandemic. The same applies at European Commission level. There will be a further meeting on this issue this week in terms of co-ordination across Europe. There is no definitive...