Results 44,141-44,160 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: One of my discoveries in Dublin late in life was the Dodder. I have walked the length of it on many occasions.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have not tried swimming the Dodder yet. It is a bit shallow at times.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: On New Year's Day I am swimming in the sea for the RNLI. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who has a particular interest in the Dodder, and Uisce Éireann. It is a fantastic amenity. There is tremendous biodiversity there and there have been tremendous improvements over recent times. It is a facility and amenity that is availed of by many people. The Deputy's point is...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his championing, along with Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan, of new drugs, or orphan drugs as they are called, in particular for rare diseases. It has been a huge issue for many people across the country and globally. The REV Estimates have additional funding allocated to the Department of Health in respect of new drugs and therapies. There is a nexus between new...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy raises a valid and interesting point. I cannot say there are immediate plans to do anything more than what has been done all along. There is a broader issue around the media commission’s report and the funding of public service broadcasting more generally, including the national broadcasts but also public service content on local radio and in print media. Hopefully we can...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I would appeal to the local authority and its members to work with local residents to get this issue resolved. Very often we have a dilemma here because people decry the taking away of powers from local authorities on an increasing basis. If we centralise everything, I think we will be in difficulty too. I do not know the specifics of the case but it is something that should be resolved...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I discussed this earlier when other Deputies raised the issue of the ACRES payment. The Minister was very effective in expanding the numbers who can avail of the scheme and everything is being done to get the payments out as fast as possible. I will speak to the Minister on this.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am not aware of that at all.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Of course. It is the easiest thing in the world to create a rumour and send a hare up the field. We have expanded it; the money is there to do it and we will be doing it. Administratively, if you go from 30,000 to 46,000 or 50,000 clearly there is an impact on the administrators trying to get everything sorted out.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is a separate issue. It is not a health employee per se; it is a very important post in the wider community agenda.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I think they should take a break. They work too hard altogether.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: As outlined in my reply to Questions Nos. 34 and 35 of 6 December 2023, Article 40.2.2 of the Constitution states that “No title of nobility or of honour may be accepted by any citizen except with the prior approval of the Government.” The reference to "title of nobility or of honour" has been interpreted, in accordance with advice from the Attorney General, as referring to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland and Iran have a functional diplomatic relationship. The Irish Mission in Tehran is operating, for the moment in temporary premises, while seeking permanent accommodation. A number of posted staff are now stationed in Tehran and the Department expects to be in a position to accredit an Ambassador in the first half of 2024. The Embassy of Iran in Dublin is currently headed by a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned by the violence witnessed in the West Bank. Since the attacks by Hamas on 7 October, and the subsequent conflict in Gaza, there has also been a sharp rise in terror attacks perpetrated by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. We have seen the displacement of Palestinian communities and reports of maltreatment of Palestinian detainees and prisoners. This is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since the start of the current crisis in the Middle East, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of Irish citizens, and accompanying dependants, that have expressed a wish to leave. To date 56 Irish citizens and their dependants have been assisted to leave Gaza. A small number of Irish citizens remain in Gaza. We will continue to work...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I confirm the situation of this individual Irish citizen raised in your question, my Department is aware of their case and is providing consular assistance. Since the start of the current crisis in the Middle East, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of Irish citizens, and accompanying dependents, that have expressed a wish to leave. To...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland party leaders to underline the importance of getting the full range of Good Friday Institutions up and running, across all three strands. I recognise that Northern Ireland has always been at its strongest and made its greatest strides when the Irish and British Governments have worked in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government published in 2020 contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme. One of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces. On the 15th December 2020, the Government approved terms of reference and the membership of an independent...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with our obligations as a member of the EU, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks including drug interdiction, search and rescue, and maritime...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (13 Dec 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together. To be clear, the Defence Forces have not undertaken any training of personnel or engaged in any other activities in Ukraine. Not alone is there is no question of Irish Defence Forces’ personnel being sent to Ukraine as part of this mission, but no other EU Member State intends to send personnel to Ukraine. All of the training is...