Results 33,901-33,920 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: In response to Deputy Richmond's questions, it is extremely important that the meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council proceed and that all parties to the Good Friday Agreement honour their obligations under it. That involves full attendance at the sectoral meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council. I was glad that that did happen in the transport sector in terms of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together. The Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland operates in accordance with established guidelines for Cabinet committees and, where appropriate, substantive issues are referred to Government for discussion and approval. In general terms, the Cabinet committee oversees implementation of relevant programme for Government commitments...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, on Deputy Catherine Murphy's question in terms of the Brexit fund, there have been, or were, some representations being made by other member states to try to eke out an additional share of funding. However, we are close to agreement on this and Ireland was allocated close to €1 billion under the fund. We are close to a resolution on this now at European Council level and I...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 11, inclusive, 43 and 44 together. The role of the social and public service reform division is to assist me, as Taoiseach, and the Government in delivering programme for Government objectives on public policies and services which help create a socially inclusive and fair society. Specifically, the division assists the work of the Cabinet committee...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: In the first instance, Deputy McDonald raised the issue - it has been commented on by others - of the Stardust inquest and related legal fees. The Stardust fire was a most traumatic national tragedy that has left a terrible and particular legacy of pain for many people in north Dublin. I greatly sympathise with all the families of the 48 young people who were tragically killed in that fire...

Europe Day: Statements (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: It gives me great pleasure to open this debate to mark Europe Day. Europe Day is a celebration of peace and unity in Europe. It marks the birthday of what is today the European Union, the direct enabler of historic progress on this island and throughout Europe. In the face of constant opposition from the extremes of the right and the left, the European Union has prevailed. It has led to a...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: State Visits (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: High-level visits between Ireland and the United States of America are an important part of the relationship between both countries, including in strengthening the ties between us. During my phone call with President-elect Biden in November last year, I extended an open invitation for him to visit Ireland. In my letter of congratulations to him on his inauguration in January, I added a...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Properties (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Chief States Solicitors Office (CSSO) does not own any property. The CSSO occupies two buildings, Osmond House which is State owned and managed by OPW and 3 Chancery Lane, which is a privately owned property and part is rented by OPW to meet CSSO additional accommodation needs.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the table below. Name Role Salary Scale Start Date Exit Date Deirdre Gillane Chief of Staff Deputy Secretary 27.06.2020 N/A Pat McParland Deputy Chief of Staff Assistant Secretary 27.06.2020 N/A ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The groups currently chaired by the Secretary General of my Department are listed below: - Secretary General Post-Cabinet Briefing; - Secretary General Brexit Group: - COVID-19 Oversight Group; - Civil Service Management Board; - High Level Steering Board on Policing Reform; - North East Inner City Oversight Group; - Senior Officials Group on Commemoration; - Climate Action Delivery Board...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: My diary for quarter 1 of 2021 has been published and is available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/87c7c-taoiseachs-diary-2021/.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Funding (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: My Department, has not allocated any funding to An Taisce in the years in question and there is no budget allocation for An Taisce in 2021. The National Economic and Social Development Office, which is under the aegis of my Department, have confirmed that they have also not provided funding to An Taisce.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Funding (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Department of the Taoiseach does not provide funding to any non-governmental organisations.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I led Fianna Fáil back into government to deal with substantive issues such as housing and to make it a key priority issue because of the needs of people in society for housing as a fundamental right and a basic entitlement. That is why we have spared no effort to comprehensively develop a range of initiatives and funding allocations to match those initiatives to get more houses built....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has seen action. Some €3.3 billion was allocated this year for house construction. The largest social housing programme is under way, as are affordable housing initiatives. The biggest actor in the housing market now is this Government

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: There is no question about that. That is the objective reality in terms of the allocation of funding to a variety of mechanisms, schemes and initiatives. The Government is providing the substantial funding for house construction. We need more than that. That is point I am making, to which the Deputy has not really responded. She does not see a role at all for the private sector and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: When it comes to it, there is no sense of urgency. I have listed some of the projects which Sinn Féin has opposed. If the Deputy were honest about this, she would say, as I am saying to people on my side-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The crisis is now of such a state-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----that one does not have the luxury of continuing to oppose serious housing projects which are shovel ready.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: However, Sinn Féin continues to oppose them and is giving no rational explanation as to why. It is serial objection at this stage.