Results 33,781-33,800 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Contracts (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: My Department has entered into two contracts since the start of 2020 in relation to the management and reaction to COVID-19. Pluto were engaged to develop a campaign focusing on the 18-24 year old cohort. The Antiviral campaign encouraged this demographic to assume a leadership role in dealing with the pandemic and utilised platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram. Costs to date are...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cúrsaí Gaeilge (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together. Chas mé le hionadaithe sinsearacha ó gach ceann de na Comhlachtaí Forfheidhmithe Thuaidh-Theas ar an 19 Feabhra, lena n-áirítear Leas-Chathaoirleach agus Príomhfheidhmeannach Fhoras na Gaeilge ar an 19 Feabhra. Phléamar tionscnamh Oileán Comhroinnte an Rialtais agus an méid tábhachtach a...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: My Department has no contracts with consultants or Public Relations agencies. The Citizens’ Assembly, which is staffed by my Department, has engaged Q4 Public Relations to provide media liaison and communication services incurring costs of €18,465.71 in 2020 and €5,127.38 to date in 2021. Its remit includes raising public awareness of the Assembly’s work;...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: A tabular breakdown of the figures requested by the Deputy is below. Covid-19 Campaign: Advertising in publications Broadcast Advertising Online Banner Advertising Social Media advertising Consultancy Production costs Total 1 Emergency Business Supports €229,784 €253,141 ...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First of all, I will state unequivocally that the purchasing by institutional investors of completed housing estates is unacceptable and not consistent with Government policy. We do not want institutional investors competing with first-time buyers. Our priority is first-time buyers. Our priority is additional supply of housing. The cornerstone of our housing policy is to build 50,000...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should listen to what I said. I was very clear that this is not Government policy.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have said it very clearly. We do not in any shape or form deem it acceptable that institutional investment of this kind would buy up estates that are already built. We have said that now. By the way, just to put things in perspective-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----institutional ownership of residential units is less than 1% of total housing stock and 5% of all rental tenancies. Just to give some perspective to the rather long-winded introduction that the Deputy gave-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will make a further point. The Deputy also needs to analyse-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----her own party's affordability policies and the assertion that it would deliver 20,000 homes each year. She cannot say where, how or by whom.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Let us take Clondalkin, for example, where Sinn Féin and parties of the left voted against the building of 975 homes, which included 30% social housing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: In Tallaght, for example, Sinn Féin opposed 500 homes, of which 80% would be social or affordable houses. Sinn Féin continues to oppose house developments in this country.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: That gives the lie to its so-called commitment to social and affordable housing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: It has voted against every affordable scheme-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----that is brought before the House.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the genuine points the Deputy has articulated. No local authority should be on the other side of this. Let that message go out loud and clear from Government. No local authority should be on the other side of this, engaging in a long lease with these institutional investors in that estate. A limited degree of leasing has some importance, but leasing over the long term does...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will know, the Government will not oppose the Bill tomorrow. The Government wants to work with the Deputy's party in respect of the legislation it is bringing forward tomorrow to deal with the leasing issue. The leasing issue is not the dominant form of house provision. As I mentioned earlier, in terms of institutional investment and to give a sense of perspective, 5% of all...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is our policy position. We do not want to see, in any shape or form, an over-use of the Part V mechanism via the leasing option.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Nationally, we are making progress in the battle against Covid-19. In terms of hospitalisations and ICU numbers, the situation is extremely positive. For example, as of this morning, there were 132 people in hospital and 39 in intensive care. The vaccination programme is making great progress, with close to 32% of the eligible population having received a first dose and 12% having received...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, I think it is a good thing that public representatives would be proactive and would meet with the Chief Medical Officer and responsibly work out what measures would be helpful in terms of reducing the numbers in Donegal. From what I could glean, that was the genuine motivation behind that meeting during a bank holiday weekend. From my perspective, it was a positive thing to do. I...