Results 48,821-48,840 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: We can.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I do not mind. I am open to that, if it is means ten minutes or whatever. Deputy Brendan Smith and a number of other Deputies raised the issue of the legacy legislation. I remind Deputies that I took the decision as then Minister for Foreign Affairs to refer that legislation to the European Court of Human Rights. To be fair to the new Government in the United Kingdom, it has moved to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Hear me out, please.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: It happened already where the bespoke legislation was passed in respect of Kingsmills, for example, with a judge there paying tribute to the Irish Government. I am clear - I have been saying it to the Minister for Justice and his predecessor - that in respect of the Omagh bombing, there is an inquiry up and running and information should be provided by the Government, and the Department of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: On the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, I make the point that it was previous Fianna Fáil Governments that led the way in respect of inquiries into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: We know the outcome of the various reports in terms of access to the British files. I do not have time to respond to all the other Deputies. Deputy Daly raised the energy market and the energy question. The meeting was a preparatory meeting for the summit, which will happen in March and will be comprehensive. It will cover a wide range of issues which will involve a number of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 to 23, inclusive, together. Our new programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, commits to delivering for all people and all regions across our shared island over the next five years. The Government is committed to the unity of the Irish people and believes this can only be achieved through a sustained focus on and investment in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Tax relief? You are all against tax relief.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thought you guys were all against tax relief.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I have no problem with it. You guys have attacked me.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: You guys have attacked us about tax relief. "You should not go near it", you said. Talk to your leader.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I take on board the points made by Deputy Brendan Smith. He has been a really consistent voice on behalf of cross-Border co-operation and has a great understanding of the issues in that area. I take on board what he said about the less-developed areas of Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh and Tyrone. We are willing to work with county councils on this and we developed a pipeline initiative some...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: We look forward to its completion. The Deputy will be looking out every day at its progress. She can keep an eye on it and make sure it is completed on budget and within time.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: It is a very good example of an area that I think will be transformed. Deputy McGreehan's point about schools was well made. There is already a very interesting shared island project we have agreed with the Northern Ireland Executive on school completion. That is an innovative programme and there is good co-operation on all sides. On the points raised by Deputy Ó Murchú, what...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----in any shape or form. The A5 has been bedevilled with planning issues and so on. There is no connectivity via rail, road or air and we have to address that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Is léir ó 2020 amach go bhfuil dul chun cinn le feiscint ó thaobh cúrsaí tithíochta. Tá an-chuid déanta againn ach is léir maraon leis sin nach bhfuil dóthain déanta againn agus go bhfuil i bhfad níos mó le déanamh sna míonna agus na blianta atá romhainn. An tuairim atá agam féin ná go bhfuil an...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will contrast that with Sinn Féin's position. I acknowledge all the challenges and the pricing and so on, but the bottom line is that our schemes have helped an enormous number of first-time buyers. The help-to-buy scheme has seen about 51,000 approvals. Sinn Féin opposed it and proposed to abolish it. As regards the first home scheme, likewise, over 3,000 homes have been...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Those are the facts, and people made decisions based on that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: That does not get away, however, from the need to get to 50,000 houses per annum, as the ESRI indicates are required, given our population growth. The focus has to be on initiatives that make that happen. Deputy McDonald mentioned O'Devaney Gardens. I accept that those prices are high, but they are being heavily subsidised as it is by the State, so the Deputy cannot have it both ways.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The entire intervention in housing at the moment-----