Results 40,521-40,540 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, there is a robust migration policy within the State. Yesterday, we had a Cabinet subcommittee meeting involving all the relevant Departments, which I chaired. We consistently monitor the situation concerning those seeking asylum in the country. When people come into the country to seek asylum, there is a process to deal with that. There is no choice but to deal with it once an...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: We have a very heavy schedule this week.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Just one step at a time now. Deputy McDonald asked if the Minister, Deputy Ryan, could issue a statement or could come before the House. We are meeting until beyond midnight tonight. I would hesitate to ask the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, in at 12.30 a.m. or towards 1 a.m. because he should be asleep at that stage.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: That would be my advice to him from a health perspective, so I will have to refuse that request.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: We have Topical Issue matters so that might be an opportunity to raise issues. Deputy Bacik raised the planning issue again, as did Deputy O'Callaghan. Two weeks ago there was a lot of pressure on Government to declare a housing emergency, to accept that there is a housing emergency and to accept that it is urgent. This is a minor amendment which enables us to get houses built more rapidly...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Everybody says they want something but, and there is always a condition attached, which means it will be delayed again.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill was first published in 2004, so we can hardly be accused of rushing it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: We are discussing a range of issues with regard to the cold snap. Deputy Barry has proven himself to be individually robust in the context of that cold snap because, on Saturday afternoon I was walking up Oliver Plunkett Street and a rough cacophony of sound emerged from the sidelines and who was it but his good self, lambasting the Government out on the public streets. When he saw me his...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Barry is fortunate to be blessed with mental telepathy as well because, today at Cabinet, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, brought forward measures to deal with pay-as-you-go meters and he brought forward funding-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----to enable that issue to be resolved. I will ask him to communicate with the Deputy on the details of that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Mattie McGrath raised the issue of migration and it is an issue of finding time within these two-and-a-half days to debate it. It is a packed schedule-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----today, tomorrow and Thursday.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do not think the Deputy really wants to be here on Friday.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Was that proposed at the Business Committee?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Generally speaking, one of the big regrets of the whole Brexit saga has been the degree to which proper thinking of the impact on Northern Ireland was never really carried out. We are living with the situation ever since Brexit and it has had a negative impact on the overall sets of relationships in respect of Northern Ireland. The British Prime Minister when I last met him, as well as...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. It will go to Cabinet next week. It is an enormously detailed plan. The challenges facing us in respect of achieving our emissions targets are extraordinary. A wide range of measures must be taken by every sector in society to deal with climate change. There will be ample time in this House early in the new term to debate the content of the plan....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising an important issue and making a fair point. I will follow up with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in respect of the changes she seeks.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: We have bitten the bullet at this stage in terms of the measures that have been brought to the Cabinet today by the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, which specifically targeted those on pay as you go. It is a good measure that is designed to target a group that is not captured by the other significant range of payments that have been made through social protection and other measures. People...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. To be fair, the Government has been very supportive of the hospitality and tourism sector over the past two and a half years making unprecedented interventions during Covid-19. There was the reduction in the VAT rate to 9%, which has also been advantageous to the industry. The Government will give all of these issues due consideration across all...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. We met in the office some months ago where we discussed these issues. It is not acceptable and I have said this repeatedly. I have convened meetings with all the relevant Ministers in the areas of education and health. There is an issue with the roll-out of the progressing disability services programme. That had an impact, in my view, on the...