Results 48,881-48,900 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: It is true to say that the Deputy has been a very consistent and strong advocate for Shannon Airport and the Shannon area. At the beginning of the week, we met with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. One of the first comments he made regarding Ireland's historic relationship with China involved the degree to which China took on board the example of the Shannon free development zone....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: We are well aware of the pressures on childcare services across the country and in Dublin. The last Government, in particular, introduced a number of initiatives on the childcare front, such that the investment in childcare is now approximately €1.37 billion. The data shows that more children have places, more services are operating and more parents are benefiting from State...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will, of course, visit Beaumont Hospital. I would be delighted to do so. Perhaps the Minister wants to take it from there.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Go raibh maith ag an Teachta as an gceist agus ní dóigh liom go mbeidh sé ag tarlú roimh an gCáisc. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is progressing the Bill and looking at amendments that must be included, as I have been clear about from the outset, in a new Bill. It will not happen in the spring session because most of the Bills we have put on the Order Paper are...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: We continue to invest in public service transport, and will continue to do so. In respect of the specific issue, approximately €660 million has been assigned for the public service obligation, PSO, and Transport for Ireland Local Link services. That is a significant increase on previous budgets. It also covers various fare initiatives, such as the young adult card and the 90-minute...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----between Maynooth and Tallaght and Dublin Airport were withdrawn by the operator. If there is a withdrawal, it is a matter for the Minister, and the NTA in the first instance. Decisions will be made as to whether we can resume with the help of the PSO and whatever else, but an evaluation has to take place first.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: On the issues in respect of Youghal, our view, and I have been very clear about this, is that we need to bring hotels back for tourism purposes. I do not believe that Ukrainians should be treated in an unfavourable manner. If they are part of the local schools and have been in a given location for quite some time, I do not approve of their being summarily turfed out and moved on to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: One of the more significant measures taken by the outgoing Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Thomas Byrne, was to make it very clear that failure to have gender equality on the boards of sporting organisations, for example, would result in the withdrawal of funding and a reduction in funding. He made that very clear. We will continue to support women’s...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Citizens' Assembly (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: A Citizens’ Assembly on the Good Friday Agreement constitutional provisions / Irish unity is not planned and is not included in the Programme for Government. In the event of a future referendum within the consent provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government would make all necessary preparations in accordance with the terms of the Constitution and the procedures of the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Funding (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Department of the Taoiseach did not receive funding support for any projects from the United States of America International Development during the time period given, nor did any bodies under the aegis of the Department.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The COVID-19 Evaluation, led by Professor Anne Scott, is completely independent in its functions. It decides on all matters relating to its operation, including its procedures and its programme of work, guided by its publicly available Terms of Reference: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/311344/0d5cbf2c-3 8e3-4931-befb-93ed3925cf1b.pdf. Information on its planned phased...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of established civil servants working in the Department of the Taoiseach is contained in the table below: Grade Total No. Male Female Secretary General 1 1 0 Assistant Secretary 6 2 4 Principal Officer 18 ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Properties (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together. The Department of the Taoiseach does not own any buildings or sites. Accommodation used by the Department is provided and managed by the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Artificial Intelligence (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The National Cyber Security Centre and the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform have published guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the public service which has been made available to all staff in the Department of the Taoiseach. While staff engage in conferences/webinars to explore and better understand the potential for and impact of AI, the Department...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: State Bodies (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: There have not been any overspends of €500,000 or more on any projects undertaken or commissioned by the Department of the Taoiseach or the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only body under the aegis of the Department - within the past five years. All procurement within the Department of the Taoiseach and NESDO is conducted in accordance with applicable...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (19 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Department of the Taoiseach’s Blended Working Policy provides a procedure for Departmental staff in eligible posts to apply for blended working arrangements. In the case of fulltime employees, the Policy provides for a minimum attendance of three days per week in the office; one of which should be a team anchor day. Business needs may require attendance in the office for more than...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Ar dtús báire, aontaímid go léir gur institiúid an-tábhachtach é an Gailearaí Náisiúnta agus baineann muintir na tíre an-taitneamh agus tairbhe as an institiúid seo. Caithfimid é sin a chur san áireamh i gcónaí. Ach tá sé an-deacair ar fad é seo a thuiscint. Conas is féidir scanóir a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: There is an overall feature here, but the House in general needs to focus on the specific and, more generally, on public value for money. Deputy McDonald, please.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: No, it did not.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I know it is.