Results 39,501-39,520 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I would say that-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: We are the first Government to bring in a national marine spatial framework and marine legislation and we had the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA. We want more marine designated areas.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have a good few responses left. Will I finish them?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: It will take two or three minutes.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will just say that the Southern Staris a very august publication. However, if it is the case the headline read "Forget the climate for now", that is sounding the death knell for future and younger generations. That kind of approach is reprehensible and does not serve the young people of today.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 to 28, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on social affairs and equality oversees implementation of programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy including sport, equality, arts and culture as well as children and youth affairs, and public services including matters relating to justice, policing reform and community safety....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, in regard to drug reform, Deputy Gino Kenny outlined the appalling death toll in Ireland from drug abuse. There are a number of approaches to dealing with this. I think part of the issue we have is that there tend to be stop-start initiatives. We need a continuous perseverance in communities in regard to drug traffickers and all of that, as well as in terms of giving young people...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: Let us help the person in need, not engage in cross-examination. That is my position and I am making it absolutely clear legislation will not see any provision of that kind.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will come back on that. Again, this is breaking new ground, to be fair to the Minister. It is a very good start but we will revisit it. Deputy Bacik raised the issue of funding for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. I will look at that. It does fantastic work and I think it needs multi-annual funding. I have visited the organisation on many occasions. I believe it should also benefit...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have dealt with the issue raised by Deputy Barry in my answer to Deputy O'Reilly's point about the leave entitlement of five days versus ten days.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland operates in accordance with established guidelines for Cabinet Committees and where appropriate, substantive issues are referred to Government for discussion and approval. The Cabinet Committee oversees implementation of relevant Programme for Government commitments in the area of Brexit and Northern Ireland, and ongoing relevant...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: International Protection (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 158 together. The whole of government humanitarian response to the situation in Ukraine is being led at senior level across Government at a national and local level. The national co-ordination of the Government’s response is led by the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and Supports for Ukrainian Refugees which I chair. The work of the Cabinet...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government has established 11 Cabinet Committees as follows: - COVID-19 - Economic Recovery and Investment - Housing - Health - Environment and Climate Change - Social Affairs and Equality - Education - Europe - Brexit and Northern Ireland - Government Co-ordination, and - Accommodation and Supports for Ukrainian Refugees. The Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and Supports for Ukrainian...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Bodies (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, was established under the National Economic and Social Development Office Act, 2006. Its function is to advise me as Taoiseach on all strategic matters relevant to economic and social development in the State. At present NESDO has 15 employees. The rates of remuneration of NESDO staff...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Properties (11 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: Both my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, take active steps to support staff returning to the workplace from maternity leave. In line with Circular 31/06 Implementation of the Regulations of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004, staff returning from maternity leave who are breastfeeding are...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, I have said repeatedly in this House - and I stand by my statement - that, in my view, housing is the single most important social issue facing our country at this moment in time and access to housing is fundamental to our security, our stability, our health and our progress as a nation. I do not know the individual circumstances in relation to Graham King and his family. I do not...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: Since July, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has given authority to the local authorities to purchase-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----houses where a tenantin situ, whether under the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, or the housing assistance payment, HAP, was on the cusp of being evicted. Since this measure was introduced, close to 650 houses have been bought or are in the process of being bought by local authorities. That is a significant intervention. Every mechanism the Minister can use to avoid homelessness is...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputies would, absolutely. It would be condemned as guillotining and all the rest of it. Anyway, 1 November is the date the Minister is targeting. I will take up the offer made by Deputy McDonald. The legislation will be published and we will work with the Opposition to get it through as quickly as possible.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue, which is more specific to the issue of the winter eviction ban. The residential tenancies (deferment of termination dates of certain tenancies) Bill 2022 was approved by Government this morning and will be published shortly. The Bill gives greater security of tenure to tenants during the coming winter period. Specifically, the Bill will defer...