Results 34,441-34,460 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: It should not be. It should be out of the question.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: We are clear that will be the case.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Previous Ministers have given that assurance, to be fair. The previous Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, gave that assurance to the House on repeated occasions. The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly is giving that assurance.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: We are clear on that aspect of it. There are certainly issues around the ownership of it and the representation of the State on the board. Those are issues that have to be addressed because of the level of State investment involved and the consequences for accountability as a result of that investment.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy very much indeed for that thoughtful presentation. We will initiate and ensure the State does formally recognise the work of Covid volunteers. I have met many of them in the vaccination centres. The vaccination programme has been unprecedented and very professionally operated, with more than 3.5 million doses now administered. It is an extraordinary achievement so far...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: In fairness, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is a very sincere, genuine, diligent and hard-working Minister, who, generally speaking, does everything she possibly can to help Deputies across the House with issues. She travels the length and breadth of the country to try to resolve issues of this kind.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Her commitment cannot be questioned in that regard and nor can her desire to seek a reasonable and effective solution that can be executed and actioned. As I said before, I will meet with Councillor Kieran Bourke and his team. I do not have an issue with that and I will check with my office in terms of the logistics of it. I know Deputy Cahill and others have been in touch about it as well.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is a relationship that we, as a country, have to rethink in terms of the European Union. Deputies would have complained about the penalty points. Europe has held back €25 million from our seafood funding. I am making the point that it has held it back because we are the last country to sign up to basic frameworks.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: We cannot just keep going on the attack-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----without more constructive and, in my view, strategic thinking around how we position the Irish fishing industry for the future. That is my point and it is why I want an ongoing dialogue with the industry.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: We can all stay in our particular positions and keep firing out the same sorts of assertions and so on while not achieving a whole lot. The issue around the control plan is a further example of that. It is easy to blame the Department and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. I acknowledge that the authority needs reform and its members know that themselves. However, that in itself will...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: We need to discuss the issues with the Deputy and others.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will pursue the issue with the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and try to get this sorted once and for all.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising what is a most important issue. We were all shocked at the scenes and we were absolutely delighted that Christian Eriksen came through. The events illustrated both the fragility of life itself and the importance of first aid, first responders, defibrillators and how what can be perceived to be one of the most difficult of circumstances can be retrieved. I...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have spoken to the Minister on the matter. I understand that they are being prepared and finalised. The Minister stated that he expects to have them-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I know well. That is why I asked the Minister and checked up on where they were. He said they are being finalised.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, in the context of the national strategic rail strategy, has included the western rail corridor, particularly the Athenry and Claremorris project, within that overall strategic review. All Oireachtas Members, particularly those from Mayo and Galway, will be interested when we have the results of this review. I will certainly keep a close eye on it....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is a fair point. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in the context of the housing for all strategy, will be making provision for the restoration and the bringing back into use of houses currently idle and vacant in rural areas and in towns. The town centre first policy of the Government's programme will also dovetail with that objective, as well as providing...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The State has supported outdoor hospitality through grants, restart grants and so forth. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage gave supports to local authorities for the pedestrianisation of streets, along with the provision of facilities in various streets across the country. Outdoor hospitality has reopened very well and it has gone down very well. That needs to be...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (22 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment has been established and first met on 8 July 2020. It has met on a total of 13 occasions, most recently on 27 May. The next meeting is not yet scheduled. The members of the committee are the Taoiseach; the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and...