Results 41,721-41,740 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: It gets said all of the time.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: First, we will, of course, await the proposals from the county council. Every county and city councillor has a role in this. The Government has provided resources, especially in terms of the tenant in situscheme and we want county and city councils to implement it and follow through on it. We also want them to follow through on affordable and social housing projects, which many are doing,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: That is the cut and thrust of political life.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: My understanding is that the NSAI is reviewing it but I will check that again for the Deputy. We are very anxious to keep moving in respect of the mica scheme. I am informed that around 812 applications have been approved to date. There is a very strong programme in place and we need to make sure we can enable people to access the scheme and get approvals as quickly as we possibly can. My...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and I ask him to share the details of the specific case he raises with me, in terms of what transpired. There is no doubt the complaints system is not fit for purpose, which is why we are proposing the establishment of an external independent complaints process and will be introducing legislation providing for same. I would be interested in hearing...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am not clear how a scheme could be specifically targeted. The Government has taken action in respect of air pollution. Air pollution is a killer. I am not sure whether Sinn Féin supported the ban on smoky coal when it was introduced. That ban was necessary. There was a big row in the Dáil at the time. The original ban was introduced by Mary Harney in and around 1990. If I...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: We have responded at length to various debates in the House on this matter. The councils are aware of the tenant in situscheme, the repair and lease scheme and the climate adjustment fund scheme, which will facilitate the provision of additional supply and ensure that voids are returned to use.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, much work is being done. I visited the headquarters of the Naval Service in Haulbowline recently. Significant modernisation of an accommodation block has taken place, and there will be further investment in accommodation in Haulbowline. The accommodation that has been refurbished is of a very high quality. Similarly, in the context of other barracks, I have instructed that...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am not aware of the specific case. It is unacceptable behaviour. There should be no evictions of that kind. I do not know whether the matter has been referred to the Garda. There is a law in place. There has to be a zero-tolerance approach to this kind of behaviour if it is illegal. There has to be respect for people and dignity and humanity must apply. The RTB is in place and the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I do not know whether an approach has been made to the county council about buying the house under the tenant in situscheme. That would be the most immediate response.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I did not realise that. Then there is an onus on the council. Have the couple just gone on the list or is the Deputy saying they cannot do so?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Again, I do not have the specifics of the case. We can work with the county council to see what can be done in this case.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Minister for Education has been in discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to get the issue of additional funding to facilitate movement and construction on these projects resolved so it can proceed as quickly as possible. I expect a decision on that imminently.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am in full agreement with the Deputy on the merits of Cork city, which is one the great cities. Many people who visit Cork remark on that very frequently. The issue of crime was also referenced by Deputy Nolan, and there has been an increase. The funding is there. There had been challenges with the training centre in respect of that. The Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, will...

Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Cuirim fáilte roimh an tuarascáil seo. Is tuarascáil fhíorthábhachtach í. Táimid buíoch don chathaoirleach, Bronagh O'Hanlon, agus de bhaill an ghrúpa as ucht an méid oibre a rinne siad agus as an tseirbhís a thug an grúpa don tír. Léiríonn an tuarascáil seo scéal uafásach laistigh de na...

Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank all of the Deputies for their contributions to this debate. I have taken careful note of all that has been said. One of the fundamental rationales for a statutory inquiry, which would be a fact-finding statutory inquiry, is to get full compellability and full contribution in terms of everybody's perspective, and not just perspective but role. At the very outset I made it very clear...

Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I think there were three of them, but Deputy Connolly mentioned that it was disbanded. That is not quite-----

Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: I did not interrupt Deputy Connolly.

Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Could I just explain and give the context before people jump to conclusions and start making assertions? It is clear the independent monitoring group was not effective.

Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Micheál Martin: Of course it was not. This will all be before the inquiry. It clearly was not effective.