Results 37,421-37,440 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: In respect of the situation in Aer Lingus, as I said earlier, the Government supported the workers in Aer Lingus through the employment wage subsidy schemeand supported the company, along with other companies in aviation. Many people in the House were calling for that and we did it. The workers should be treated fairly and, in my view, on a par with UK employees in the same overall company.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: We support the end of mandatory retirement. The Pensions Commission has reported on that and it will come back to Government.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 25, inclusive, together. I participated in the One Ocean Summit in Brest, France, on Friday, 11 February. Around 20 international leaders attended in person for Friday's high-level segment hosted by President Macron. This event was held in the context of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with the support of the UN and in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: On Deputy Sherlock's point, I do think that we can reach the 5 GW by 2030. The Government has been in office for about a year and a half or a bit more. In that time, the marine planning framework has been published. The Maritime Area Planning Act has been enacted. There have been very significant developments, particularly in respect of the development of wind energy to give certainty to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: We have a very ambitious goal to have 80% of renewable electricity by 2020. That is Ireland's goal in the climate action plan. That depends on harnessing offshore wind in particular. It is at approximately 43% of electricity generated now. In that context, the development of a new regulatory consenting regime for the offshore renewable sector in Ireland, including the introduction of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will work with the Ministers involved in the extension of the nautical limit. The practice the Deputy identified of the dumping of so many fish at sea is shocking. Deputy Boyd Barrett spoke of the privatisation of our resources. I am not clear. Is he saying that the State should collect all the offshore wind itself? Is that what he is basically saying?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do not think that the State has the capacity to do that.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: There is a lot of expertise out there. We have to have partnership between the State and the private sector. ScotWind has really moved quickly in harnessing wind energy off Scotland. We want to get to 5 GW before 2030-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and we want to become a major exporting nation after that.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I know that. It is being worked on. There is a whole-of-government delivery system being created. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is developing that.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: Well, I hope it does yield jobs and benefits, the biggest being to climate. I am not clear what the Deputy is proposing as an alternative. I have not heard that.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Equality Issues (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: My Department actively supports diversity and inclusion in its workplace including gender balance. As at 1 March 2022, the gender balance of staff in my Department (excluding politically appointed staff) is 64% female and 36% male. Of the 9 members on my Department’s Management Committee, 4 are female and 5 are male. The gender balance at Assistant Secretary level in my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach has no responsibility in the area of planning applications or decisions, and hasn’t brought any policy instructions or documents to the attention of An Bord Pleanálá.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality has met on 20 occasions since February 2016, as follows: Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform met on 7 occasions between February 2016 and May 2017 - 4thJuly 2016 - 15thSeptember 2016 - 27thOctober 2016 - 12thDecember 2016 - 6thFebruary 2017 - 10thApril 2017 - 23rdMay 2017 Cabinet Committee B (Social Policy and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I visited Berlin for a one-day programme of events on 22 February. I met with German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz. We discussed the extremely concerning situation in Ukraine which has deteriorated significantly since our meeting. Ireland stands with our EU partners in making clear that there can be no compromise on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The invasion by Russia...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy McDonald for raising this very important issue. I wish everybody a happy International Women's Day. We are all agreed that our thoughts are with the women of Ukraine who more than anybody have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in the face of the most enormous of challenges and the most impossible of choices as they bring their children to safety, leaving their husbands and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the Government has been very actively considering the country's response to the unfolding crisis and the consequences of that crisis. That is across a whole range of areas, some of which I outlined in terms of our humanitarian response. Suffice it to say that the impact of the war will be very serious and significant for all nations across the European...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, I thank the Deputy for raising this key issue and his comments on a number of issues that spring from it. I mentioned earlier the bravery of journalists. Without journalists in battle, we would not have any picture at all of the atrocities and war crimes that are being committed by an evil regime that has clearly targeted women and children. I mentioned Lynsey Addario's photograph...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: On the question of the numbers at the Russian embassy, I have not asked about the numbers there. Be under no illusions. We have about six in Moscow, including three diplomats. Any actions mean reciprocal actions on the other side. We judge it necessary to retain diplomatic channels right now in terms of protecting and having channels to help Irish citizens in particular situations. The...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I agree that Russia stands condemned in the international court of opinion for its appalling atrocities against the civilian population of Ukraine and for its unjustifiable and unprovoked war on Ukraine, its territorial integrity and its sovereignty. Everybody else tried everything to stop Russia going to war. Leading NATO countries the Deputy...