Results 31,021-31,040 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: That is the whole idea. The Deputy must accept in that situation there has to be a need for policy input to drive things on and get things done. The security issue has surfaced with regard to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in terms of travel.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy may say that. Ordinarily, Ministers outside of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality hire drivers that are paid for by the taxpayer and travel-related costs are also associated with that. I am not sure where the Deputy got the figure of €200,000 net. I have no figures on that.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: My understanding is that there was a security aspect to it. It is my understanding that the Tánaiste sought an aide-de-camp to assist him in his duties in terms of public occasions and events he will attend. In terms of equality, there are three super junior Ministers, as they are called, or super Ministers of State, at the Cabinet table, and there should be equality between all three....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Growth (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together. As committed to in the programme for Government, a national economic plan will be developed in the coming months to chart our longer-term, jobs-led recovery. The plan will put sustainability at the heart of our fiscal, enterprise, innovation and environmental policies. As part of the development of the new national economic plan, my...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Growth (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Regarding the Government and its formation, when we published the programme for Government we attached a document on the functioning of Government. I emphasise again that three parties came together. My overall objective is to ensure the three parties work seamlessly and in co-operation in getting the work of the nation done, and I take that very seriously. My ego is not going to get in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Growth (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: It is, because this is a significant expenditure stimulus of the economy. I refer to the projects that will be identified and prioritised, the key as well being the pandemic unemployment payment and the wage subsidy on which the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, has ideas. I will not give Deputy Kelly the final quantum today because that will be announced on the day and work is still under way....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Growth (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: They do not have the Chairs. We chair it.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Growth (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: It is not clumsy at all; I think it will work as a structure. Having been in previous Governments, I know that co-ordination is key. In coalition Governments - this is a three-party Government - where one has regular engagement, particularly between the three leaders and also to avoid issues that may be disruptive or may cause difficulties, it will require hard work but that is needed to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Growth (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: It is my understanding that it is in the functioning document.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Growth (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Anything can change over time.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Growth (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The committee has not been convened to deal with any one issue, including the situation pertaining to the Minister, Deputy Cowen. It will meet in advance of every Cabinet meeting to discuss the Cabinet agenda, including legislation which may be on the agenda on which agreement may not yet have been arrived. Ordinarily, agreement will have been arrived at. Someone may say his party wants to...

Termination of Ministerial Appointment: Announcement by Taoiseach (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I wish to announce for the information of the Dáil that the President, on my advice, this evening terminated the appointment of Deputy Barry Cowen as a member of the Government. Pursuant to section 4(1) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1946, I have assigned the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to myself. I will propose the appointment of a new member of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Commissions of Investigation (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The IBRC Commission is fully independent and it is solely a matter for the Commission to carry out its investigation in a timely and cost effective manner. Neither I or my Department have any input or role in the operations of the Commission. The IBRC Commission was established in June 2015 by a Government Order which was approved in draft by the Dail and Seanad, with terms of reference...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The COVID-19 deaths and cases series published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) aims to provide insights on those who have either died or contracted COVID-19, by using data from the Computerised Infectious Disease Reporting (CIDR) provided to the CSO by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. The Electoral Division map published in bulletin 5 on 19 June 2020 detailed the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Responsibilities (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: As the role of the Taoiseach is set out in the Constitution, the Ministers and Secretaries Acts and other statutes, no specific briefing paper was prepared on my appointment. Any statutory functions to be carried out by the Ministers of State in my Department will be delegated to them by way of Government Order.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Remuneration (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: This matter is under review and a decision has not yet been made.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Advisers (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Having appointed Ministers and Ministers of State to their various portfolios across Government, I am also considering the advisory supports that I might need in my role as Taoiseach and Head of Government. While I have not as yet fully finalised the make-up of my team, it currently consists of a Chief of Staff at Deputy Secretary level, a Deputy Chief of Staff at Assistant Secretary level...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Data (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: As outlined in the Programme for Government, a number of reforms will be implemented in order to ensure openness and constructive co-operation within government. These include the establishment of an Office of the Tánaiste and an Office of the Leader of the Green Party within the Department of the Taoiseach, located in Government Buildings. The purpose of these offices is to support both...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (14 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 to 60, inclusive, together. Since taking office I have spoken with a number of EU leaders including: President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, and President of Lithuania, Gitanas...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Public Inquiries (14 Jul 2020)

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