Results 39,881-39,900 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Functions (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: No, sorry. This has been long considered in great detail by everybody. Not me; I am not involved. I do get impatient at our complaining about everything for decades and not reaching a compromise to get something done to transform streetscapes and bring about an improvement. Improvements have been made in other parts of the country to good effect. We have transformed towns and cities...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 8, inclusive, together. Through the Government's shared island initiative, we are engaging with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future and delivering tangible benefits for the whole island. This is underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. This work is proceeding on a whole-of-government basis and we are working...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: On the shared island dialogue, in particular the All-Island Women's Forum civic initiative, Deputy Gould made a point about the potential of research and shared data on domestic and gender-based violence in particular. We will pursue that. We have the capacity to do it working with the various groups North and South and the agencies that are in a position to collect the data and do the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 14, inclusive, together. The Government co-ordination committee will meet again ahead of the next Government meeting, which is next week. The committee reviews the agenda of Government meetings, discusses political priorities, reviews implementation of a specified element of the programme for Government, and reviews the activity of Cabinet...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputies for raising a range of issues. Deputy Gould raised the housing issue. I would disagree with him in terms of his assessment and his presentation of the issues. The factual position is Fianna Fáil has been in government for two and a half years, not six years.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: We were not in government-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: Fianna Fáil has not been in government for six years, as the Deputy said. We have been in government for two and a half years and, since then, we have made significant efforts on the housing issue. It is the biggest social issue facing us. We have a lot more to do but, this year, we have the highest number of housing completions since 2008. We have the highest number of commencements...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: They are proposing cost rental and developing affordable as well as social housing projects, and they are also doing a lot of good work in respect of the Ukrainian situation by creating good projects to house Ukrainians and to co-ordinate work around those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Deputy Bacik raised that issue specifically. I am hoping that meeting can be organised whereby an...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and we were acting on that. In terms of the Ukrainian situation, decisions have been taken. Again, we appreciate the constructive role Deputy Bacik has played in terms of giving any potential properties that we can act upon in terms of the call for pledges but also the reconfiguration of existing buildings and development of modular accommodation or as I prefer to call it, rapid-build...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I know but, again, I am open to having it examined. I would just be careful about it. On another day, the Deputy would be very strong in giving out about a lack of safety regulation in other areas of life. He attacks us on housing and on everything else. It could be argued that what he is proposing here could have safety implications. I will get it checked. I will talk to the Minister...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: You name it, the State is getting involved in building and trying to get houses for young people. The State is the provider. We are not relying on the market because the market is not performing to the degree one would like.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry. Deputy O'Callaghan raised the issue of Tathony House. The Tyrrelstown amendment was meant to deal with this issue in terms of block evictions in apartment blocks. I will have to do a further examination but I understand the owner here is claiming there is a depreciation in value. I might be wrong. I will not say anything further than that. We need to examine the basis upon...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (25 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together. While there are elements of communications to most policy roles in my Department, the Unit in my Department whose function relates to communications is the Government Information Service (GIS). GIS includes the Government Press Office and the MerrionStreet content team and works on a cross-functional and collaborative basis to: - provide...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (26 Oct 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 to 19, inclusive, and 22 together. The first meeting of the European Political Community on 6 October was a welcome development in wider European political engagement. It was hosted by the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, with the support of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. 44 States were invited to participate,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have been very consistent in this House in saying repeatedly that housing is the single most urgent and important social issue facing our society at this time. Since the Government has come into office, we have focused razor-like on the housing issue. The evidence supports this with the new schemes that have been brought in, construction and so on, but I will deal with that in a moment....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: There were ridiculous objections and so forth. We have the Croí Cónaithe fund. Sixteen Acts have been passed in this House. The Minister has brought 16 pieces of legislation on housing through this Dáil. We have capped the rent increases in rent pressure zones at-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----no more than 2% per annum. There has been an extraordinary burst of activity over the last two and a half years under the Minister. That cannot be taken from him. It is real and substantial.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I am not going to play the Deputy's populist game.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Sinn Féin is essentially populist in its approach to issues. I have stated my position on housing. I used my definitions and I said it is the greatest and most important and urgent social problem facing this country. I have said that repeatedly. Deputy McDonald is not going to put words in my mouth.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: What I will say to her, through the Chair, is that we do not understate the seriousness for many people out there.