Results 47,881-47,900 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I can assure the Deputy that we will be supportive of anything that will assist in pushing back against the occupation of Palestinian territory and what is happening at the moment with the significant land grab in the north of the West Bank. With regard to the ICJ opinion, I already took action, instructing my Department and the military leadership not to procure from Israel any defensive...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: First of all I must point out to the Deputy that there are 28,000 more people working in our health service than there were at the beginning of 2020. That is a 23% increase. This includes some 9,375 nurses and midwives, 4,000 health and social care professionals and 3,330 additional doctors and dentists. At the moment, we are looking at 129,750 - approximately 130,000 -people now working...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am not providing an umbrella of statistics. There is a fundamental issue here. The statistical data from the OECD shows that Ireland now has second-highest rate of practising nurses per 1,000 of population, among reported EU countries. However, let us put all that to one side. There is no doubt that health expenditure has increased exponentially. Yes, the population has grown as well...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am in a position to report to the House that a statement will issue shortly from our Defence Forces, stating that all Irish troops in Lebanon are accounted for and well. This is a relief to us after the reports that had been circulating prior to this session of leader's questions starting. I also want to pay tribute to our soldiers in Lebanon...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----to bear witness to what is happening and potentially, if diplomacy can triumph and get the war stopped, then UNIFIL could play a significant role in the restoration of peace. The Deputy raised some very important hypothetical questions about if a similar force had been in place in Gaza. There are no guarantees and we cannot be certain about any particular outcomes but already the Arab...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy. I will have to follow this up with the Minister. Is the Deputy talking about the Dublin Airport passenger cap?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: That has to stop. We need regional connectivity. The north west particularly suffers from a lack of connectivity by rail and by road, because of the A5 debate. We have to keep the air links to the north west open. If I had my way, I would prefer Derry to also have an air connection. This is something that can and needs to be sorted.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I certainly can. I am not familiar with the background but it seems systems can tie themselves up in knots unnecessarily. I do not see how else prescription medicines can be administered, particularly to senior citizens, people who are infirm and so on, if not by family members or carers, in accordance with guidance-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----from the GP and medical authorities. I will contact the Minister for Health.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: In the first instance, we need a full and comprehensive report regarding the reports we heard when coming into the Chamber. I do not have comprehensive report on what transpired in respect of UNIFIL positions in Lebanon prior to us coming in here. It would be wise to wait for a comprehensive account and report of the situation. Suffice it to say, a ceasefire should be immediately agreed...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: As Deputy Barry will know, Deputies Pádraig O'Sullivan and Christopher O'Sullivan have been relentlessly pursuing this issue on behalf of St. Killian's. Yesterday, they received communication from the HSE in respect of St. Killian's and the use of funding to provide therapeutic support. I have spoken to the principal on this issue. My clear position is that we need school-based...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: It will have to be continued. Whatever has started has to continue until we get a different system.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I pay tribute to the Minister of State, James Browne, for his championing of the gambling legislation. He has put significant work into that. I hope the House can get that Bill passed through both the Dáil and the Seanad-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----before anything else happens in the time ahead. I appeal to everybody in the House for co-operation in getting that legislation through. I agree with Deputy Shanahan about that gambling block. I will talk to the Minister and engage with the other banks about following the lead given by Allied Irish Banks with that initiative. Gambling has created enormous harm for families and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I did not quite get the overall import of what the Deputy was saying. My understanding is that relates to material for adults. Is it teacher training material for SPHE or RSE?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will refer the matter to the Minister and ask her to come back to the Deputy on it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is no excuse for empty local authority houses. The local authority should get going. I remember in 2020 and 2021 that we provided additional resources to get voids done. Thousands were done across the country. It is unacceptable that houses have been left idle after they have been vacated. Local authorities really need to get going on the voids too. Social housing is the key way...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Last year, about 12,000 social houses were delivered. Of those, 8,500 were new builds.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: What I am drawing from the presentation is that the local authorities in Galway need to increase the output. I will talk to the Minister and ask him to review the situation in Galway to see what the issues are.