Results 30,861-30,880 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (30 Jun 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on Security encompasses matters previously under the remit of Cabinet Committee F (National Security) and G (Justice) and deals with justice, defence, Garda Reform and national security issues. It last met on 30 October 2019 and no date has been set for the next meeting. In the intervening period, in the context of the COVID 19 crisis, the Cabinet has received updates...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jun 2020)

Micheál Martin: In line with the advice of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, NPHET recommended that for the duration of phase 3 (which commenced on 29 June), indoor and outdoor mass gatherings (including religious events and family events such as weddings) be restricted to 50 and 200 respectively, bearing in mind the following: - Mass gatherings should be organised in advance to enable...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Citizens' Assembly (30 Jun 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government provides for establishment of Citizens' Assemblies to consider: the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited to Dublin; matters relating to drugs use; Biodiversity; and the future of education. There are no plans at present for a Citizens' Assembly to consider the matter of a shorter working week. A Citizens’ Assembly on...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (30 Jun 2020)

Micheál Martin: Since March 2020, in line with the public health advice of the Department of Health, the majority of staff in my Department have been working from home with the exception of staff supporting the essential operation of Government Buildings to support the work of the Taoiseach and Government during this period. In line with the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol and to support the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jun 2020)

Micheál Martin: The data requested by the Deputy is not yet available. All deaths that occur in the State must be registered within 3 months from the date of death; for example, a death that occurred in April 2020 may not be registered until July. Furthermore, all deaths involving COVID-19 are reportable to the Coroner's office and are registered on receipt of the Coroner's certificate. The Central...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for the question. I am conscious that Deputy Bríd Smith raised this with the outgoing Taoiseach, now Tánaiste, Deputy Leo Varadkar, some time ago in the context of the significant impact on women, particularly those on maternity leave, that Covid-19 has had, especially with regard to access to the normal supports such as childcare, baby groups and so on that was...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: It is our intention to do the right thing but to do it in a considered way. It is not as simple as the Deputy has outlined and there are both legal and policy complexities with it. The estimated cost is €78 million and it would affect about 24,500 women. That is being considered by the relevant Departments. I do not intend to come in here and say what might be popular or just give...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I do not accept the Deputy's analysis of the first week of the Government. He can talk about internal party issues pertaining to certain individuals but my focus has been unwavering since I was elected Taoiseach. That focus has been on policy and substance from the beginning. We have an extensive legislative programme for this month, as the Business Committee is well aware. I would say...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Again, the Covid figure is the one I take as my yardstick in terms of the unemployment rate and the reality of the situation for many people. Of course, in the context of those supports, the jobs stimulus programme will focus on that area and on the wage subsidy scheme, which has protected thousands of jobs. We can get into all sorts of statistics, but it remains unclear how many companies...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I empathise with much of the Deputy's comments about the challenges that faced the nursing home sector at the outset of Covid-19. I do not believe it was adequately prepared at that time to cope with the pandemic. Much has been learned since. The expert panel has been set up by the previous Minister and I understand it should report within the next fortnight. It will be an important basis...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: On the specific response to the issue of the temporary assistance payment and the funding issue, we have to accept that when a global pandemic of this scale emerges, which is once in a hundred years, lessons have to be learned from it. There should be comprehensive reviews of everything that took place, but with a view to learning lessons and not trying to damn people or apportion particular...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Debenhams has treated the workers very poorly and in a very shabby way and it is wrong to do so. The Deputy is correct that the company has availed of the legal framework within the Companies Act in regard to insolvencies, winding-up and so on, to leave the workers extremely short. The State will have to do its bit to provide, within the legal framework, what it can in terms of statutory...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Again, I am not going to raise expectations that one cannot deliver on in terms of interfering in the liquidation process or making interventions that could not be legally sustained. For the existing workforce, the liquidation process and how we can leverage the remaining assets to secure the rights of workers is a challenging and complex issue, as the Deputy knows deep down. I accept his...

Appointment of Ministers and Ministers of State (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I beg leave to announce, for the information of the House that after I had informed the President that Dáil Éireann had approved my nomination of Deputies to be members of the Government, the President on 27 June 2020 appointed them accordingly; that, on the same date, I nominated Deputy Leo Varadkar to be the Tánaiste and assigned the Department of Business, Enterprise and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am of a view that parents should not have to go to court to get the most basic rights for their children. There have been issues ever since that Act was introduced in 2005. I understand that some sections of that Act remain to be commenced regarding children with special needs. The allocation of resources in education does not always depend on that assessment of need having taken place...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has helpfully highlighted the anomaly and asked for it to be addressed and resolved. From what he is saying here, it would make sense to do so but I will have to defer to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in this regard to take the necessary measures to deal with the anomaly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, the Ministers with responsibility for various aspects of this are engaging about the matter. It is somewhat more complex than has been presented, with regard to both policy and legal implications. I appreciate that there is a time issue. The Government will come back with a response as soon as possible.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The legal framework relating to the experience of Debenhams workers and the behaviour of the company involved will be examined. The Deputy said that consultation has to be meaningful and it does have to be meaningful. We will look at the other aspects that the Deputy highlighted, such as full access to the books and all relevant material for workers concerned, as the Deputy articulated.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: All efforts will be made to avoid a no-deal Brexit. The situation with negotiations between the European Union and British Government is difficult. I spoke to the British Prime Minister and we both agreed that there was a need to comprehensively deal with the issue in a way that would involve a comprehensive free trade agreement and would be of benefit to Europe, the United Kingdom and...