Results 40,301-40,320 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Mac Lochlainn has asked for an update on mica. I will ask the Minister to forward an update to him.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, Deputy Boyd Barrett has been raising this matter in the House for about three months. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has engaged with him on the matter. As Deputy McDonald stated, Dublin City Council is engaging with the residents. Every effort will be made to get a satisfactory outcome.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Yes, I know. What is the problem?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: No, I did look at Deputy Boyd Barrett and I referenced the fact that he has raised this issue and he has been asking about it for some three months.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do not think that is objectionable, because it is true.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Then I looked at the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, for confirmation and affirmation that he is indeed continuing to engage with Deputy Boyd Barrett on it, and Deputy McDonald, now that she has raised it, and also, more critically, with the council in order that we can get a resolution of the matter.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should calm it down.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: She is getting too sensitive.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is an average cut of 25%. It is €121 million this year. We want to increase it again next year and do better. Overall, it is €259 million this year in core funding. Again, if the Deputy has specific issues, I invite her to take them up with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as well. We are getting some concerns articulated by some...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: As a basic principle, I think teachers and special needs resources should stay in special needs.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: They should. I am just saying what is my basic principle.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Every child is entitled to a pupil-teacher ratio irrespective of whether he or she is a mainstream or special needs pupil, and resources should always be ring-fenced for special needs students. That is a principle to which I have always held strongly ever since I brought in special classes in 1998, SNAs and so on. On the broader question, there is an issue with supply in certain areas,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Can the Deputy tell me-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Is it that they will not pay him the VAT?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, I commend to Deputy's commitment to electric vehicles. I thank him for raising the issue. I will talk to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ryan, in terms of the working out of this. What the Deputy said makes sense. I will follow through on it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will come back to the Deputy on it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy for raising this issue. I will certainly pursue it and will ask the Minister to do so. It would be very regrettable if an organisation that receives substantial funding from the State would renege on a WRC agreement, which seems to have materialised here, and it is an agreement reached some years back in respect of redundancy. I will certainly follow that up.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: We will be as broadly supportive but, as ever, we endeavour to try to shape directives as well. Every country is involved in negotiations and in the shaping of any directive that comes forward. Sometimes that gets misinterpreted but I will follow up on this matter for the Deputy and will bring further clarity on it for him.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and it is a very important one. Very serious issues arise from the use of the e-scooters and the safety of all concerned.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: This is the case everywhere, and wherever they are used, issues arise. I am simply saying that the Bill is in the Seanad, where amendments have been tabled which will then go to the Parliamentary Counsel. It looks like the Bill will then come back to the Dáil, given that amendments are being tabled in the Seanad. We will all try to work collectively to see if we can get this through...