Results 40,561-40,580 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: We will examine all of that. I want to see the material. I cannot comment until I see it. In response to Deputy Murphy, there were 46 items on the Cabinet agenda today. The Minister has made it clear that he wants to publish his proposals in advance of Christmas. There is a session of Dáil Éireann in January and February. There will be ample time for Deputies to discuss...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are discerning people in Singapore, there is no doubt about that. Apparently it lends itself culturally and so on to its method of cooking.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Bríd Smith raised the issue of the shortage of transport workers, in particular bus drivers, in terms of pay levels. In terms of the broader issue, there has been an expansion of services which has to be factored in. Our population is growing and there are normal industrial relations practices which facilitate terms and conditions in respect of the industry. We should have more...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: I banned it.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Yes, because it was useless. What was in place was a charade.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is very difficult to do.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is problematic when we do not have it. I do not dispute the points the Deputy is making. I hope, however, that the Minister's Bill will deal with the issue in respect of the agriculture industry.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have dealt with Deputy Devlin's question about Santa.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 to 21, inclusive, together. My most recent formal meeting with church leaders took place on 15 April 2021, when I met with the leaders of the all-island Christian churches, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church and the Irish Council of Churches. We discussed the ongoing contribution to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: I agree with Deputy McDonald and join her in expressing our sympathies and our thanks for the work Derek did. As for the redress scheme, the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, wrote to the churches seeking a contribution to the redress scheme. My understanding is that legislation is still going through the Houses, or perhaps it has gone through already. I note the Deputy's concerns about some...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 to 27, inclusive, together. The Government recognises the importance of regular engagement with all sectors of society. In recent months I have had a number of engagements with social partners in a variety of formats. This includes through mechanisms such as the Labour Employer Economic Forum, LEEF, which brings together representatives of employers...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy McDonald raised the Mater Hospital long Covid unit. That is a matter for the Mater and the HSE. I do not know what is behind all this or what is going on in there in terms of the various sets of relationships. I know the Minister is here. My understanding was that it was going to be continued but that is a matter on which we will engage with the HSE to see what the real story is....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Is deacair a dhéanamh amach cad atá ar siúl. Deputy Devlin mentioned the fuel allowance for the over 70s. It is a very good idea to have a publicity campaign to ensure that people are aware of the increased eligibility thresholds so that people who heretofore did not qualify will avail of the free fuel allowance. It is a very good idea, in terms of the publicity campaign, to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Sorry?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Bríd Smith raised the issue of the employment regulation order for the security industry. Again, that is in the courts. We do not intervene in the courts. The comparison made is false because there was no court case regarding the banking decisions. The matter arose from a review carried out concerning the banks themselves, particularly those not owned by the State and in which...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: I apologise. The high-level review group on collective bargaining made substantial proposals, as the Deputy knows. The Tánaiste and Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment propose to work with the partners to have them implemented throughout 2023.

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Gabhaim buíochas le muintir Aylward agus le Helena, Bob, Triona agus Mark ach go háirithe. Táimid go léir anseo chun ár meas a léiriú ar fhear grámhar a raibh sárthuiscint aige ar a mhuintir sa dáilcheantar Cheatharlach agus Chill Chainnigh. Is maith is eol dúin go léir go raibh Bobby go huile is go hiomlán ar a shuaimhneas i...

Confidence in Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Motion (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: I move: That Dáil Éireann has confidence in the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien TD. The Minister took up office at one of the most difficult moments in our modern history. The largest public health crisis and fastest moving recession to ever hit our country had brought a sudden halt to most aspects of economic and social life. It was a...

Confidence in Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Motion (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: This is unfortunately a very populist moment we live in. It is increasingly hard for even the most important issues to be debated in a serious way. For example, during the roll-out of the vaccines, even one of the most successful programmes in the world was relentlessly attacked in political and media circles for failing to deliver everything immediately. According to this approach, until...

Confidence in Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Motion (13 Dec 2022)

Micheál Martin: Our plans address every element of housing provision, starting with the most basic of training for more craftspeople to build and renovate homes. Thousands of new apprenticeships are in place and people are being trained in new and urgently-needed skills, including those who will support our programme to insulate social and private housing to reduce energy bills permanently and help meet...