Results 38,341-38,360 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: We must tackle it on all fronts. It is not an ideological issue. Human behaviour must really be the way to deal with it.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: In terms of the climate action delivery board, we now have the Climate Change Advisory Council, which will report annually in respect of the targets Government has set and the targets set under the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Act. The delivery board will be reporting quarterly. There is no need for it to do the work of the Climate Change Advisory Council in respect of its...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 to 26, inclusive, together. The Government agreed on 8 February 2022 to the establishment of two citizens' assemblies, one dealing with the issue of biodiversity loss and the other dealing with the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin. The inaugural meeting for both assemblies took place on Saturday, 9...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank all Deputies for raising the various issues in the context of this group of questions. On Deputy Boyd Barrett’s question, it is my view that there should be a citizens’ assembly in relation to all aspects of neutrality. In the first instance, however, we have committed to citizens’ assemblies on education and drugs. We will be examining the timeline around a...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have been a strong outspoken critic-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: I did not interrupt the Deputy. He should allow me to respond.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: I am not getting into a league table. The Deputy deliberately intervened so as not to allow me to follow through on what I was about to say.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: My point is that I have consistently been an outspoken critic of Israeli Government policy in respect of Palestine. Ireland as a country has consistently called out, to use the Deputy’s phrase, the constant and consistent violation of agreements already reached on Palestine. Our view is that the Palestinian people have a right to a homeland. We believe in a two-state solution to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: He never mentions it, for whatever reason, because it does not suit the anti-European Union perspective that he has. The Deputy never does. He always has to be reminded. He talks about consistency of approach and consistency of standards. What amazes me from time to time, from certain parts of the opposite side of the House, is the complete lack of any acknowledgement of the fact the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: What I have said is that the Government has condemned this appalling murder of a journalist and also the continued violation of basic human rights in terms of the Palestinians' freedom of movement and so forth.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Ó Murchú legitimately raised the issue of drug abuse. I accept fully the shocking impact that drug abuse has on communities, as well as organised crime. The Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, has commenced preparations for the Citizens' Assembly on drug use, which Deputy Bacik also raised. This has been done to ensure that there will be no delay in establishing the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Functions (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Housing and Infrastructure Unit supports me and the Government in building a successful society and economy through sustainable economic development; with a particular focus on housing and infrastructure policy. This includes supporting the work of the Cabinet Committee on Housing which oversees the delivery of Housing for All. The Unit monitors implementation of the Housing for All and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Functions (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Public Service, Justice and Policing Reform Unit is part of the Social Policy and Public Service Reform Division of my Department. The work of the Unit: Supports me, in my role as Taoiseach, on policing reform, criminal justice, public service reform, social affairs and other related matters; Incorporates the Policing Reform Implementation Programme Office which oversees the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ukraine War (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: I met Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Shannon on 20 April. Prime Minister Shmyhal gave me a first-hand account of events on the ground in Ukraine, of the appalling killings in Bucha in particular, and the continuing attacks on civilians and on towns. The Prime Minister outlined some clear objectives, around financial assistance to enable the Ukrainian Government to keep essential...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Programme for Government (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: Government has been working hard to implement the commitments in the Programme for Government across a wide range of issues in all Departments. The ten Cabinet Committees established by this Government reflect a broad range of policy areas that it will work on during its lifetime as set out in the Programme for Government. Cabinet Committees meet regularly to continue this work. Strategy...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: Prior to the consideration by the Government of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation on Mother and Baby Homes, certain information relating to matters in the report was disclosed in a newspaper report. In that context, I requested that an investigation be carried out. I also asked that the investigation be done in the context of a broader consideration of the arrangements...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Wildlife Conservation (11 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are no policies currently in place to install artificial structures as described either in my Department or The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will put this point to the Deputy. It is a good decision today for the women of Ireland and for newborns into the future that we will have a new maternity hospital and a neonatal centre of excellence in public ownership, in State ownership for the next 300 years. When it is built and it is proven to be a good decision I hope that Deputy McDonald and her party will have the good grace to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: There is nothing in the lease that is an imposition on the State at all despite attempts to muddy the waters and, in my view, deliberately confuse that issue. On the broader issue, the concerns that were raised after the Mulvey deal and over a year ago have been comprehensively addressed by this Government and by the Minister, first in the constitution of the new national maternity...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 May 2022)

Micheál Martin: My understanding is that the chair of the St. Vincent's Healthcare Group is ready to correct the record in respect of that.