Results 35,821-35,840 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Budget Process (23 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. Social impact assessments, SIAs, are an analytical framework that is designed to examine the demographic profile of public services users and how they are impacted by budgetary policy decisions. SIAs seek to answer questions about the impact of Government expenditure, such as whether the policy change in question resulted in a...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Budget Process (23 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputies for the questions. First, on equality budgeting and the general approach of Government under the social impact assessment framework, approximately 17 papers have been published since 2016 under the social impact assessment, SIA, framework, embracing education, childcare, energy, poverty, disability and health, including mental health. I mention the assessment of living...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (23 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 11, inclusive, together. The European Union and the international division of my Department works on all aspects of European Union and international policy within my Department, including issues relating to the European Union and the United Kingdom relationship. The division assists me in my role as a member of the European Council and in my other...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (23 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: On Deputy Martin Kenny's questions, Europe has to be consistent and is consistent. It has been consistent on Ukraine and has had unity of purpose on Ukraine and other neighbourhoods in terms of activities. The situation in Spain is difficult and challenging. I welcome the fact that the situation has de-escalated and that the politicians have been released. No one ever likes to see...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (23 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----it is still a regressive move. I am also aware of reports that Palestinian human rights defenders were hacked using Pegasus spyware. We attach great importance to the freedom of civil society and people's ability to act without surveillance. We have also asked Israel to respect international law and to avoid loss of life in the context of Palestinian prisoners who are currently on...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Commissions of Investigation (23 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: The only commissions of investigation for which I am the specified Minister under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 are the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation commission of investigation and the National Asset Management Agency commission of investigation. Both commissions are fully independent. The IBRC commission was established in June 2015 following consultation with Oireachtas...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Commissions of Investigation (23 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: In response to Deputies Tóibín, Boyd Barrett and Kenny, I would point out that it was the Deputies opposite who called for, if not demanded, the investigation. It was not about kicking the can down the road, as Deputy Tóibín suggested. There was a demand from this House, and I was in opposition at the time, that the Government establish an inquiry. All in opposition...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Commissions of Investigation (23 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is a topic that needs serious discussion, but we must build up the existing capacity of the system to deal with these issues in a substantive way and avoid the necessity for inquiries that take an inordinate length of time, by any yardstick, to come to a conclusion and at great cost.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, energy price increases are almost totally driven by global price rises which are being felt in Europe and across the world. The rebounding of international economies has led to supply chain constraints and real pressure on gas and oil prices. That is the fundamental driver here. It is a global phenomenon and is not unique to Ireland in any shape or form. There is a diesel rebate...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: The popular thing to do is to defer because then one will not create any waves but it is not right thing to do for the future of the planet and its people. We need to protect people from rising energy prices and the carbon tax will help us to develop, for example, a really comprehensive retrofitting programme, which is ultimately the best way to reduce energy costs. A lot is happening in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: Under EU rules, our reduced VAT rate of 13.5% on energy prices cannot be reduced below 12%. If we were to attempt to reduce the rate to 9%, for example, for a few months, the VAT would revert to the standard rate of 23% because we would be opting out of the derogation we currently have. Again, the Deputy needs to put forward proposals that are credible and that can actually be delivered.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: We all have a duty in here to be honest with people and not to put forward ideas or proposals that do not have any credibility attached to them and cannot be done.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is more of the politics-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: Yes, we have been engaged on the matter.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: We have had a discussion across Europe. I want to make the point – if I could do so without interruption, as is a consistent habit of the Deputy opposite-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I want to make the point that we understand fully the pressures on households. The carbon tax does not apply to electricity bills. That is a separate issue. We are monitoring the situation in terms of household pressures. We did increase the fuel allowance. We did provide taxation measures in the budget to try to help people cope with the costs. The costs are global and are driven by...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----in terms of the response to Covid. We are going to see what we can do.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: Our main focus is not to try to come up with false ideas that would never carry, but rather to ask how we can get household bills down in the short term. That is where the Government's focus is. That is why we have used receipts from carbon tax to significantly increase the fuel allowance and increase the numbers of people who will be eligible for the fuel allowance, all to protect people...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is what we intend to do.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, I take the opportunity to thank the Irish people for responding to the current situation. All of the research is indicating, in particular in the past week or two following our announcement, that people are adjusting their behaviour significantly, which is ultimately the way to reduce the current pressure on hospitals and in regard to Covid-19. I watched what the WHO had to say in...