Results 34,681-34,700 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Verona Murphy for raising this issue in respect of Rosslare. I hope I do have that common sense.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: Who could have as much common sense as the Deputy? In the context of Brexit, the importance of Rosslare Europort is very evident. It has given us capacity and flexibility in dealing with the Brexit situation. Another area in which there is potential relates to the development of port facilities to facilitate renewable wind energy generation offshore. We have now developed the maritime...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: That meeting is important because it can open the door and create a pathway for an application for significant funding, which would be backed by the State, from the CEF. The Department of Transport has been in touch with the European Commission seeking to negotiate changes to the criteria for this facility which would allow for EU funding for basic port infrastructure with a view to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his question. All health systems across Europe and the world come under pressure in a pandemic. That applies through wave after wave in different countries. The acute hospital system, as the Deputy says, continues to be in a challenging position, particularly with the significant backlog of non-Covid care arising from the demand for Covid care in the early part of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: We need to give credit to the health system. It stood up strongly to a difficult wave in the winter period. The investment in the winter initiative plan was key in enabling us to have a better flow through hospitals even before the wave came. November and December were better months than in previous years for flow through hospitals and the home care packages were key to that. The 5...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: This project has been ongoing for a number of years, from conception to the present state. It has been unsatisfactory in terms of the relationship between the contractor and development board. I am not in a position to give clarity around figures. The less bandying about of figures, the better, in relation to contracts and projects of this kind. That applies to everybody, including those...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: That also impacts on the deadline and timelines.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy. Ms Orla Hegarty has done a lot of important work in this regard and in raising awareness levels. My Department has published reports and guidance for public sector authorities and agencies in respect of ventilation. CO2monitors have been put in every classroom but we may need to do more. A working group met in regard to schools and recommended CO2monitors in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: We have to look at the new technologies and we will do so. As we come through this phase of Covid, we know there could be winter phase of Covid. We are very conscious of that. All the tools and technologies at our disposal need to be looked at. I take the Deputy's point.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, the Government does not get involved in the planning or appeals processes. Certainly, this has been an issue of contention and controversy for quite some time. The point regarding the publication of documents is fair. There should be full transparency regarding this project and all the submissions made in respect of the planning process, including from the company's perspective in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----and more generally. I will inquire as to the status of the publication of those documents.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: In fairness, the Deputy should have acknowledged that the Minister has brought in a significant proposal on the capping of rent increases in line with the harmonised index of consumer prices. This is something he was calling for as a minimum and the Minister has done it now. It is a very progressive measure. All the measures the Minister has taken in placing restrictions on evictions and...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will engage with the Minister for Heath on this. Fundraising for equipment is one thing but, obviously, the key is to get the staffing in place and the capacity to deliver and do all of that. That is a key issue in terms of any equipment that is provided across the board in health. I acknowledge and pay tribute to those who have fundraised for this. Other Deputies in the constituency...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I recall that visit. Councillor Micheál Anglim, who has been a long-term campaigner for this, asked me to go down with Deputy Cahill. It is a lovely and very tranquil area.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: Very good footballers. I was reminded of that at the time because of what had happened on the playing pitch.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: It happened even before that in other grades. I get the point that, economically and socially, it is a problem and it is dangerous as well from a safety perspective. That was one of the issues raised at the time by many parents of schoolchildren. I will follow through on that and see what we can do.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: Tá an-chuid oibre déanta ag an Aire, an Teachta O’Gorman, ar an gceist seo agus ar an ábhar seo. Tá sé ag obair le gach aon duine ó thaobh na ceiste seo agus go háirithe ó thaobh clár cúitimh do na daoine a bhí i dtithe máithreacha agus leanaí. Níor tháinig aon rud os comhair an Rialtais fós. The...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy entirely in terms of the importance of this issue. I will certainly investigate what is happening in Carlow in particular. I have been to Carlow on several occasions with the Deputy. The gradual reopening of in-person driver theory tests commenced from approximately 8 June. Essential driver training for essential workers who have not completed their training...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, in terms of the commitment in the programme for Government, we have expanded the social dialogue. We are working on that at the moment. Just last week we had a very substantial meeting with the Labour Employer Economic Forum. We are expanding its role, creating subgroups on aviation, housing, the shared island agenda and other workstreams. Prior to that, we restarted social...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (7 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: We are examining whether the role of the National Economic and Social Council can be expanded and developed even more. That consideration is ongoing.