Results 35,121-35,140 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: State Bodies (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: My Department has no offices which are usually open to the public to access services and neither does the National Economic and Social Development Office, which is the only body under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Communications (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is not my practice to delete text messages or email correspondence related to Government or official communications.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: As we continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemicit will be important as a people that we pause and reflect, take time to remember and pay tribute both to those who have lost their lives in this terrible pandemic and to everyone who has contributed to how we have faced and are facing the challenges together. The loss of a loved one is always a painful and traumatic event but the pandemic...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Confidentiality (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: Cabinet confidentiality is provided for at Article 28.4.3 of the Constitution. It provides that the confidentiality of discussions that take place at the Government’s meetings shall be respected in all circumstances save where it is decided otherwise by the High Court. The Article provides that the High Court may determine that disclosure may be made in a particular matter in the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Flexible Work Practices (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together. Like all Government Departments and Offices, my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for a gradual return to the office for staff from the 20th September having regard...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cybersecurity Policy (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: In common with other Government Departments, my Department has in place comprehensive arrangements to support ICT security and receives regular advice on these matters from the relevant authorities including the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the National Cyber Security Centre. The Deputy will understand that it is not the practice, for sound operational and security...

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

Micheál Martin: My Department has a comprehensive learning and development programme to ensure that staff at all levels have the required skills and knowledge to perform their individual roles and deliver the strategic objectives of the Department. In addition to training provided by One Learning, the Civil Service Shared Learning and Development Centre, staff are encouraged to avail of the Refund of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cross-Border Co-operation (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Government’s Shared Island initiative is working to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding on the island, engaging with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future. I established a Shared Island unit in my Department to act as a driver and coordinator of this whole of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: I spoke by telephone with Prime Minister Johnson on 20th July, in light of the cancellation of our meeting planned for the previous day, for COVID reasons. We discussed the Northern Ireland Protocol and I stressed the importance of utilising the EU-UK framework for issues related to the Protocol. The EU has consistently said it is ready to find flexible, practical approaches to address the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on Europe oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union and related issues. It generally meets in advance of a meeting of the European Council. It last met on 22 March 2021, in advance of the meeting by videoconference of the Members of the European Council on 25 March. Previous meetings of the Cabinet Committee on...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 to 41, inclusive, together. There is not a dedicated Cabinet Committee that deals with transport, rather transport related matters are discussed in a number of Cabinet Committees as appropriate. This occurs most usually at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment and the Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change. The Cabinet...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change last met on 1 July 2021 and will meet again in the coming weeks. This Cabinet Committee oversees the implementation of the ambitious Programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment and climate change. These commitments include those reflected in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Brexit Issues (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: In advance of his visit to Northern Ireland, I met with Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič for a working dinner in Government Buildings on 8 September. We had a very good exchange and I warmly welcomed in particular VP Šefčovič's planned engagement with political, civil society and business representatives in Northern Ireland. His openness to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: The total expenditure on external contractors and outsourcing for my Department was €543,161.31 in 2018 and €389,863.51 in 2019. There was no expenditure on consultancy services in this period. This expenditure is for a wide range of services including foreign travel management services; IT support providers; managed print services and cleaning services. My Department...

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Budget Statement 2022 (12 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: I beg your pardon.

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Budget Statement 2022 (12 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: We are not talking.

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Budget Statement 2022 (12 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: Just because Deputy Carthy-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: I need to correct the disinformation given to the House. The truth matters. Fianna Fáil has been in government for 15 months and we have had a Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the past 15 months. We have not been in government for five years. The Deputy should not continue to articulate an untruth-----]

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: Just because the Deputy keeps saying it does not mean it is true. It is untrue and she should stop saying it in the interest of proper honesty in public debate. Let us leave that to one side. The Deputy is also ignoring the fact this budget does deal with many thousands of people who rent, but maybe people on the housing assistance payment, HAP, or on the rental accommodation scheme,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: I put it to the Deputy that she has opposed tax relief for renters in the form of the indexation of tax bands and credits that the Government introduced yesterday. She is resolutely opposed to that. That will give relief to those who are renting at present through reductions in income tax as a result of those measures. The Deputy opposes that, and she has articulated her opposition to it....