Results 35,161-35,180 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Data (12 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: I appoint members to two state boards – the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the National Statistics Board (NSB). Appointments generally fall into three categories - independent members, members nominated by sectoral organisations and ex-officio members (including public servants). I have limited discretion on appointments depending on the category where the vacancy...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Data (12 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: My Department liaises closely with the Office of Government Procurement on all matters related to public procurement and monitors all areas of expenditure on an ongoing basis to ensure that value for money is being achieved. Regulation 32(2)(c) of the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations S.I 284/2014 provides for the awarding of contracts by way of negotiated...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: National Development Plan (12 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 together. The National Development Plan (NDP) is a high-level financial and budgetary plan, which sets out the framework and broad direction for investment priorities over the period 2021 to 2030. It includes Exchequer allocations for Departments for the period 2021-2025 to support the delivery of the ten national strategic outcomes...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Funding (12 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 17 and 18 together. There is a welcome increased focus and ambition for cross-border cooperation at local authority and regional levels, including through the North West City Region initiative, the Irish Central Border Area Network, the East Border Region and the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor, with each initiative setting out an agreed statement of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Funding (12 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: The National Development Plan affirms the Government’s commitment, set out in the Programme for Government to deepen and strengthen North-South health links, and sets related investment objectives for 2021-30 to deliver better health care and outcomes for people on the island, working with the Executive and through the North South Ministerial Council Health sector, which is a...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: National Development Plan (12 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: The National Development Plan affirms the Government’s commitment, set out in the Programme for Government and under the New Decade New Approach Agreement, to work with the Executive and the UK Government for increased air connectivity on the island of Ireland, taking account of the outcome of a review on the viability of air routes on the island. I am informed that this review is...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Office of the Attorney General (12 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: In terms of secretarial services, the Attorney General’s Private Office is staffed by four members of staff, comprising of one Private Secretary and three Personal Assistants. The Private Office is used by the Attorney General for carrying out his duties and responsibilities as Attorney General. It is not used to provide services to any private entity. The total associated...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I also join the House in expressing our sympathies to the families of the late Máire Mhac an tSaoi - b'fhile den scoth í a rinne an-chuid ar son ár dteanga dhúchais - Brendan Kennelly, Paddy Moloney and Tony MacMahon, artists and musicians who enriched our lives in a wonderful way. I think the fundamental premise of the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: An increase in the number of ICU beds from 255 to 321 by the end of this year is not a drop in the ocean. If the Deputy knows anything at all about ICU beds, it is not about the beds themselves but the entire staffing team that goes behind them.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: The number will be up to 340 by the end of 2022. That is an enormous increase in ICU beds over a very short period of time. In addition, as I said earlier, well over 900 beds will be provided.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: What we did last year - in the funding we provided for the winter initiative, which got us through last winter - was we provided two-year funding to enable the staff to be recruited and the beds to be provided, so we would not have the annual struggle that went on between Departments in respect of getting annual allocations. That has been very effective.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: However, other measures have to take place, of course, in respect of diagnostics and other measures in terms of home care and so on to make sure, as far as we possibly can, that there is a very good, efficient flow through our hospitals.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: I want to make a final point. The issue about the increasing numbers is not about hospital beds alone, although that is important. It is about individuals. We want to protect individuals and that is why protective measures are needed from severe illness and so on.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: Every debate we have when restrictions come in or go out is the same. I recall a debate in the Dáil before the summer on the measure that enabled us to open hospitality, namely, the vaccination service. It was a heated debate with Members opposite saying it was the worst thing we could possibly do, yet it enabled the reopening of hospitality, including restaurants and pubs. Has...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has made a very true statement there, in that we cannot put all of the eggs in the vaccination basket alone. In fact, that is what the Chief Medical Officer, CMO, said to us last evening. He made that very point. Vaccination is a game changer, of course, but we need additional non-pharmaceutical protections to be in play as well to keep the virus at bay, particularly during the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: That instruction cannot be issued in the manner articulated by the Deputy and he knows that well. The legislation underpinning NAMA is very specific. That Act sets specific objectives and functions for NAMA, which are well established. NAMA has facilitated the construction of housing. There is an issue in terms of how, going forward, we interact with NAMA in regard to the provision of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: NAMA represents the taxpayer. It had a responsibility, with regard to the loans it took over, to yield a return for the taxpayer, whom this Oireachtas represents. As I said earlier, NAMA has offered housing stock to local authorities already. As I said, in the coming period, the utilisation of NAMA's activities in respect of further housing provision is something that is under ongoing...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: We are providing social housing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: We are not doing it at €500,000. The State is going to build-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: The State is going to build social housing. We will provide 11,000 social homes in 2022. That is what we are going to do. We are going to do an average build of about 9,000 every year. In addition the State is going to build and help to facilitate the building of a whole range of affordable houses, and cost rental ones also.