Results 31,521-31,540 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: We introduced serial testing programmes for the nursing homes, which has been very effective.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Will the Deputy not acknowledge that it has been effective? The nursing homes have been serial tested twice and we will do so again. Serial testing at the meat plants had to be rescheduled but it has commenced. The same applies in respect of direct provision. I agree there is huge pressure on the community side.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: No it is not, it is increasing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Last week, testing was at 15,000 per day. We will continue to increase testing and to recruit additional people. I have no difficulty with facilitating another briefing with the HSE or the CMO in relation to this plan and so on.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I have no problem with doing that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter and I know he has genuinely pursued it for quite some time. I spoke to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, about this and I take fully on board the necessity to do something for taxi drivers and people in similar positions who may not have come under the ambit of the restart grant. I specifically mention people who could not be included in the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport will continue to engage with the representatives of taxi drivers to discuss measures to ease the burden on them during what is a very difficult time for them. As I have said to the Deputy before, issues arise in administering these measures to protect all involved, ensure money gets to those who really need and deserve it, ensure verification...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The business of the House should proceed as planned. The Business Committee made a decision. I note that the Business Committee meets every week and makes a decision, but that decision is then queried in the House and a vote called on it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: This is not about the roadmap. It is about regulations that were debated last week and are being continued.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thought the request made by Deputy Mac Lochlainn related to the regulations that are being renewed this evening-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: -----to continue the level 2 restrictions and which were the subject matter of comprehensive debate and a vote last week in the Dáil.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: It happened. There was a big debate last week. It would be very unusual to be debating regulations weekly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: These are public health measures that must be introduced this evening and continued in accordance with advice from NPHET. I presume all Members wish for the Government to follow the advice of NPHET and implement the regulations. I have no issue with the broader plan being debated. That is a fair point to make. The Business Committee has set parameters in respect of the Order of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: That is very constructive.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, met with the representatives of the taxi drivers last week and he has indicated that he will continue that engagement with them. I also made it clear that there is no question of taxi drivers not having access to new bus lanes. The Minister was very clear on that to me this morning. In my replies earlier to Deputy Boyd Barrett, who had...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: At the outset there was a delay in terms of the vaccine and production of it. I will come back to the Deputy with a substantive response on the issue he has raised.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Thomas Byrne, spoke with his Greek counterpart on 9 September, immediately after the fire and offered Ireland's full solidarity and support. The Greek Government has requested assistance from its European partners in dealing with the immediate humanitarian need. Without...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Four.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Sometimes proposals are presented as if they are simple to do but the idea of increasing social insurance contributions from all employers in order to cover the failings of some raises its own questions. There is also the issue of retrospection in terms of how one could apply any funding that would be raised in the future on foot of legislation passed here. These issues are being examined...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: We can cherry pick and pit one activity against another-----