Results 32,661-32,680 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy instanced correctly the War of Independence as being a campaign, but what about comparing that to whether we should replace the RTÉ licence fee with another charge? That is the point I am getting at. The Deputies will still believe that it will become a big, unjust tax and they will run a big campaign and big protests around it. The point is: Parliament and decision-makers...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Yes, the Deputies will.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: They will do everything they possibly can to resist what this Government, including the Green Party, has proposed in different iterations. For example, on the Oireachtas committee in the previous Dáil, a majority of parties decided on a course of action to try for a reduction. That involved a carbon tax and to utilise that money to protect against fuel poverty and to deal with...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: As we discovered during our programme for Government discussions, trying to bring levels down by an average of 7% over the next ten years will be very challenging, but we are committed to doing it as a Government. The climate change Bill is a good Bill. It has a whole range of commitments. It establishes a 2050 emissions target. It introduces a system of successive five-year...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: -----and he will do so in a constructive manner. His main aim is to improve the Bill if people come forward with workable improvements. The Bill in itself is a major advance on what we have had and is something that commends itself to the House. He is open to amendments, of course, given the detailed examination that has taken place. In the House, Members may come forward on that. In...

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: It has been nearly nine months since the threat of an unprecedented global pandemic became a reality. Since then, Ireland and every country in Europe and throughout the world have had to take dramatic action to contain the terrible toll that this virus can take. Every aspect of social, economic and cultural life has been upended as we have worked to shield those most at risk and to limit...

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am not shaking my head.

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Let them get the job done, for God's sake.

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Of course not but let them get the work done.

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am all for it.

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...