Results 30,961-30,980 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: To be fair all round, the pandemic unemployment payment was at the time, and all parties leaders were engaged in consultations with the then Government on it, an extraordinary intervention in terms of supporting people's livelihood and incomes.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I know that. There are limits to what the State can do in terms of expanding that payment or wider supports. The next phase will involve a targeting of resources to make sure we can get people back to work and create alternative employment opportunities for people who have been laid off. Obviously, we will be borrowing for quite some time, but there is an obligation on us all to make sure...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: My understanding is that work is under way regarding the regulations on public transport. The point the Deputy has made is a very fair one. In my view, masks have to be worn on public transport and should be worn more frequently in enclosed areas, particularly in shops. All of us have to get into the habit of wearing a mask in enclosed environments and on public transport in the interests...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: That is a fair point. In most nursing homes that I am aware of families are allowed to visit their loved ones, albeit in restricted time limits and circumstances. In regard to the specific case the Deputy referenced, my understanding is that HIQA has compiled a report regarding that individual case. The overall point the Deputy is making, however, is that people need an advocate or a...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for the points he has raised. That legislation will not be brought forward in this session, but we will see how soon we can bring it in. I will check that with the Minister for Justice and Equality. The more general point the Deputy has made is apt given the role gardaí played in the implementation of the various legislative measures around Covid-19. It has to be...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I cannot see the Deputy in the hall. I will take what he says on board. As I said yesterday, my own view on drug and alcohol abuse where children and young people are concerned is that the most effective defence is the development of self-esteem and self-respect in children at the earliest age. Programmes designed to facilitate that are the most effective approach. That is what...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Government will be considering this in the coming week, in advance of the date the Deputy has identified. It must also take legal advice on the issue of notices to quit. I accept that people need certainty on that. Research on the rent arrears issue will inform our assistance to people in difficulty in that situation.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: That is a commitment in the programme for Government. Some work still has to be done to ensure that when the statutory commitment is made, the capacity to deliver it efficiently and properly is available. The legislation will probably be introduced in the autumn. We will finalise the autumn legislative schedule in due course.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I will have the commitment to those over 70 and the associated legislation examined. There is also legislation under way concerning access to GP care for children under 12. I will check if something can be done before the end of July and I will come back to the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I will have the question of an inquiry and an apology examined and discuss it with the Minister for Health. I will come back to the Deputy and the House on this issue.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: With the co-operation of the House, we hope to have the Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020 passed before the end of the month. As I said to Deputy Browne, that encompasses both access to GP care for children aged 12 and under and increases in the gross income limits for medical card eligibility for persons aged 70 or older, in line with...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The answer is "No". The Deputy presented this just prior to this session. We need to be very careful about annulling anything without the proper detailed consideration and examination in the context of Covid-19. Further transmission of the virus in affected areas is still possible. We need to consider any change to legislation concerning Covid-19 in the round. We certainly should not do...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I certainly will talk to the relevant Department and have the issue examined to see if we can get it resolved. Just transition is a very important part of the overall climate change agenda.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: First, I certainly will have that matter examined. From my experience, one of the greatest difficulties in getting schools built has been around site acquisition, planning and other issues locally. I do not know the full history of this particular school since 1999, but there clearly are issues and there must have been hurdle after hurdle put in the way. The situation is not acceptable for...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I have not yet read the report to which the Deputy referred but we can, of course, allow time for a substantive debate on this issue. The Chief Whip will engage with the Deputy in this regard. It may not be possible to have the debate in July given all the emergency legislation that has to be got through to facilitate the economic recovery and so on. However, that report and the wider...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: That review will commence shortly but I will come back to the Deputy with an exact timeline. Underpinning all of this is the role of carers in our society and their centrality in assisting people and communities. Recognising their role will be a key part of the implementation of the programme for Government.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Both I and the Minister for Health are on record as saying that private hospitals should not be profiteering out of Covid-19. What the Deputy is referring to are excessive charges and they are wrong. I will talk to the Minister for Health with a view to engaging with the private hospitals in regard to this practice.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: My understanding is that the task force reported the week before last. There is no question that Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on aviation. I have read the figures and reports in regard to Shannon. As the Deputy said, the incredible drop in traffic volumes and so on is devastating for the airport. The Government is very conscious of the wider aviation challenge. In terms of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am not in a position to sanction grants for specific community centres, but the wider point made by the Deputy is valid. One of the reasons we are creating the idea of a community centre fund is that, historically, sports and other organisations had access to funding, but community centres often had difficulty accessing funds outside of local authorities which might provide some funding....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy said, the Minister came into the Dáil and publicly admitted that he was convicted of a drink-driving offence four years ago, that he was penalised for that offence and that justice was meted out in accordance with the charge and with the offence that he committed. He adamantly denies any suggestion or implication that he sought to evade any checkpoint. That is his very...