Results 43,241-43,260 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----and, therefore, they need a cushion to get them through difficult periods. Again, I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thought the Deputy might acknowledge that this Government has done more on all-island and cross-Border projects than most, whether that be the Ulster Canal, the Narrow Water Bridge, the €40 million-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----for research involving third level collaboration, the geopark in Cuilcagh, where we purchased thousands of hectares for the first cross-Border geopark-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am delighted about the UEFA bid. What is important is that, first of all, we get host nation participation in the finals. That should be sorted. Stadia have to be developed and the UK Government has significant obligations in this regard as well. The Irish Government will work with the UK Government to make sure that our stadia are fit for purpose, available and developed with a view to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I look forward to publication of Labour's budget proposals. I saw no sign of change in Sinn Féin's budget at all, despite all the rhetoric. The Social Democrats has gone for a €17 billion expenditure. It is really challenging for Labour to come with a budget package-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----given the underwhelming Sinn Féin budget and the very interesting Social Democrats budget in terms of financial sustainability. I was not dismissive last week at all. I just made the very fair point that there is a Derelict Sites Act. Local authorities have a duty and obligation to implement it, and they should be proactive in doing so. There is a vacant house tax and which...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: First, I wish the students from High School, Rathgar the very best in their tour of Dáil Éireann. We thank them for their presence here and hope that some of them will emerge in the not too distant future as Members of this House. In terms of the briefing-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: It has been one of my lifelong difficulties, a Cheann Comhairle.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: When I used to attend secondary school, I was always five minutes late and my twin brother was always five minutes early, to which at the end of my sixth year in school the Deputy Principal, totally flummoxed by this, said: "Is that why you only had one spoon to eat the egg?" That has been the story of my life. I apologise when I get here a minute too late.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: On the serious question of long Covid, and I know the Minister for Health is here, we are committed in a programmatic way to deal with the implications of long Covid in all its manifestations, through the primary care sector, diagnostics and also in terms of ongoing care. We are also doing research, which I think is critical, because we are still learning.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I agree 100% with the Deputy. Maybe he could pass the case on to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I will certainly alert him to the fact that he has raised the issue. We need to be flexible and sensible in our implementation of regulations and in administering loans of this kind. The spirit must be one of facilitation as opposed to creating hurdles. If someone is...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I acknowledge that he has been a very persistent and strong advocate for this bypass and this facility. There will be further work on the capital ceilings of the NDP in the aftermath of the budget and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform will work with line Departments. I will examine the specific...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: There has been ongoing engagement with the family on this question. Maybe I could talk to the Deputy to get more clarity on the specific asks. There was a UN initial inquiry and my understanding is that that then goes to a board of inquiry.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I will come back to the Deputy on that. The Garda is also involved in a coroner's court. I met with the Lebanese foreign minister at the UN recently to again underpin the importance of justice here with regard to those who killed Private Seán Rooney.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate what the Deputy said and I would share with him our deepest sympathies to the family of the woman who was killed in this hit-and-run accident. Our hearts go out to them on such a loss of life in circumstances where it could have been avoided and prevented. I will ask the Ministers for Justice and Transport to liaise with the local authority and the Garda locally as to the issue...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Lawless has raised this same issue. I am aware of it because Deputy Lawless spoke to me about this. A very unsatisfactory situation has emerged here. I learned about it post the acquisition of the land. It is a pity the State did not get control of it from day one. It is very important that all options be examined now. The fundamental objective has to be to restore the access of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Yes, I appeal to the company to work with the trade unions and to have a full and meaningful consultation, which is provided for within the legal frameworks so that employees will have full clarity and also that every effort will be made to minimise job losses.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Government is very much committed to helping and supporting the workers within the frameworks that are available. We will continue to do that and see what we can do, working with the owners, to get the mines operational again. The international context was not conducive at the time of the decision taken to have it at a care and maintenance level. The Government will remain engaged on...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue, as Deputy Durkan did earlier. I know Deputy Lawless has been advocating on it for some time, because of the significance of the estate and the access the public enjoyed for a considerable length of time. As I said earlier, it is important that all involved, including those who own the land, have due regard for the importance of public access, for...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I might take that question because there is a broader issue relating to population growth and its impact on public services, and the Deputy raised a very interesting point. He mentioned an increase in the population of 1.5 million over 20 years. I have been making this point repeatedly and I think we need a deeper dive and analysis of the relationship between population growth and the...