Results 38,061-38,080 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Republic of Ireland had the highest life expectancy in the European Union 27 in 2020. We will see what impact the pandemic had. Sometimes we should reflect on that when we consistently attack the health service and so on and everything to do with health in this country. It was the highest in the EU. It is astonishing progress and an astonishing achievement.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: In terms of the elective hospital, I am particularly committed to that. A hospital was announced seven or eight years ago. I have put the pressure on. The Joint Committee on Health and the Government are determined to get this elective hospital done as quickly as we possibly can. A site has been announced by the way.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: The funding has increased significantly in terms of house adaptation grants.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: The funding has increased. The key constraint in the future will not be funding but the inflation we are currently experiencing, the constraints on materials and building materials and their high cost because of the war in Ukraine and the inflation that happened as we emerged from Covid-19.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister for Finance will consider all of these matters. When we make concessions in this regard we want them to be time-bound. We cannot keep doing the same thing forever. I assure the Deputy that across the full spectrum of sport in Cork, from ladies football and camogie to Gaelic football and hurling, Cork people are no strangers to Croke Park.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: That is a matter for the local authority. That is why we have a city council.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: Dáil Éireann, genuinely, cannot pronounce on school wardens. We have provided funding. We have provided €360 million to local authorities for walking and cycling etc. Surely the local authority will find the funding to deal with this issue, which is a matter for it in the first instance.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: I actively travel down to the beach, generally speaking. The walk and swim are part of the one solid continuum, if the Deputy understands what I mean. It is much better for you. Regarding littering, some good initiatives have been undertaken voluntarily as well. I see volunteer groups around the country that gather litter on beaches. Human behaviour is the key to this issue, but we will...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will engage with the Minister of State and the HSE in respect of this. An additional €65 million was provided in 2022 for disability services, so we must now get delivery on that. Recruitment continues to be a challenge across the service, in particular in respect of therapists. This is an issue we must work with the HSE to examine further and to get speedier recruitment processes...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: We do not believe in the abolition of the carbon tax, as Sinn Féin will be advocating this evening. We are not climate deniers on this side of the House, as the Deputy’s party is.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: I wish to make it clear to the Deputy there is no ban on turf cutting and there will be no ban this year on turf cutting. The Deputy and everybody knows that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: The circus is being created by you guys over there-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----who are determined to create this as the biggest issue of the day, whereas in my view there are far more substantive issues, not the least of which is the war in Ukraine.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, will have the specifics of the details regarding the timeline for the publication of those guidelines. I do not have the specific timeline for the publication of those guidelines.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: Again, I will have to examine the background to the issue the Deputy is raising. Are these contractual arrangements between self-employed people and these facilities? This is something we would have to examine in detail.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are a variety of labour relations frameworks and mechanisms by which issues pertaining to pay and conditions can be dealt with and resolved, but I will need more background on that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: Yes, work is continuing on those measures. Any time the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications indicates energy-saving initiatives, there seems to be a chorus of negativity around them. We need ongoing energy efficiency and this needs to be consistently worked on throughout society.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: In case you fall out with them.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (27 Apr 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Michael Healy-Rae is correct about the extraordinary work that is now going on within the Passport Office. Passport service staff numbers have increased by more than 300 since June 2021. There is a competition under way at the moment which, when completed, will see staffing numbers of 900. That is a doubling of staff numbers since last summer. It is engaging in intensive training...