Results 34,121-34,140 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. This has been a long-standing and long-running project of many years. Since it was originally mooted and given the go-ahead, it has faced many challenges and hurdles. On the broader point, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, has allocated very significant extra funding to Irish Water to provide waste water...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Again, we are aware of the situation in relation to public health dentistry overall. The Minister for Health and the HSE's national service plan have provided significant resources in that regard. I will raise the issues with the Minister that have been articulated by the Deputy this morning.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I call on Aer Lingus to review and change its decision. The Ministers will meet with Aer Lingus management today. The entire thrust of Government policy is to create proper regional development and balance in the economic development of this country. Airports, including Shannon and Cork Airports, are key to that. As was said earlier, over the years the volume of traffic has been...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The overall development plan is a matter for the local county council. Obviously, the streetscape and aesthetic quality of any town or village is important. That should be reflected in the local area development plan. I do not know the specifics of this case, but one needs to balance the necessity for communications and people who want connectivity, with the aesthetics, streetscape and how...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: We support very strongly the need for public transport, particularly rural public transport. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is particularly focused on this issue and the need to expand services, not erode them. I take the Deputy's concerns on board and will relay them to the Minister.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Extraordinary levels of funding have been allocated to housing and to councils in respect of HAP. I cannot administer every council or office in respect of this. They should be developing the capacity to administer this in a timely manner for people such as Lauren, who is waiting too long. I will relay this to the Minister, who is aware of it. I have no doubt he will get involved to try...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I can but I expect the HSE at regional and local levels should be dealing with these issues with local representatives, to be fair. I will talk to the Minister but the broader point is that such issues should be resolved at local level. It is a serious issue for residents of the area.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am really getting into micro-organisation of a range of services this afternoon. I do not know why they cannot go to Killarney. They should be going to Killarney. I will talk to the HSE. They do not have to go two hours to Limerick if they can get to Killarney and there is a centre in Killarney.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will engage with the HSE on the Deputy's behalf. We have great grá for the people of Rathmore and Gneevgullia. I will talk to the HSE and try to get it sorted.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: We will do what the Deputy's party will not do, namely, get as many houses and apartments built as we can. That means everybody has to be on board at local level when schemes come up. There is a housing crisis. It is the issue for younger generations who aspire to own homes, people who cannot get off HAP into social housing and people on social housing lists. We need to support projects...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the question, which is in good faith and on a very serious issue. I have spoken to the CEO of the HSE and the Minister, who have assured me that consistency will be applied. This issue was raised last week and the week before in the House. I think the Deputy raised it last week. We were told that the vast majority had complied with the new clinical guidance nationally. I am...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. I joined European Union leaders at the Porto social summit on 7 to 8 May, which was also attended by Commission President von der Leyen. This included a high-level conference on 7 May organised by the Portuguese Presidency, which discussed work and employment, skills and innovation, and welfare and social protection. Along...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: As I said yesterday, I am very clear that the violence in Gaza has to stop. I believe Hamas should stop firing rockets as well, and that has killed people. Equally, I have been very clear that the response from the Israeli Government has been wholly disproportionate and wrong. It has been ruthless and brutal. One cannot bomb Gaza without killing innocent children, innocent families and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 13, inclusive, together. A Policing Service for our Future is the Government's plan to implement the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. As recommended in the commission's report, implementation of the plan is being overseen by a dedicated programme office in the Department of the Taoiseach. The policing reform...

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: On Deputy Mac Lochlainn's question, I want the scoping review completed as soon as possible. It has been a very traumatic journey for the family of Shane O'Farrell. I have been in touch with them on an ongoing basis. Deputy McGuinness and others have raised this consistently in the House. Scoping reviews can be effective in terms of subsequent inquiries. I do not know if Covid is a...

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Yes. We all need to reflect on this a little. Ultimately, we have to have faith in our services and strengthen their capacity to serve in accordance with the principles and policies we lay down here in the Oireachtas. That means constant interaction with the authorities and management bodies. It also means proper internal and external accountability structures. There is a challenge here...

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy just ignores them and says they have no rights and that the gardaí are all wrong. He says the gardaí are oppressors. That is wrong.

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is not a balanced approach. The legislation will be debated in the House. I would have believed the Deputy would support it because it enables us to restrict the journey of the virus. That is the crucial part of it all. It is a matter of keeping the numbers down and trying to achieve some semblance of normality and to reduce severe illness, mortality and the numbers of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 to 27, inclusive, together. The economic division in my Department supports me and the Government in developing and implementing policy across relevant areas to support sustainable economic development, including job creation, infrastructure, housing and climate action, and social dialogue. This work is particularly focused on ensuring a co-ordinated...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Mac Lochlainn raised the issue that he raised yesterday. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, about this and I believe that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is meeting the group shortly, having invited them in February, when he met them, to make a submission which he got at the end of April. It is important to say that the Government has responded strongly to the mica...