Results 50,041-50,060 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I understand to some degree what the Deputy is saying. There should be a thorough evaluation of the value-for-money aspects of any of these projects and everybody should be clear on the objective. Sometimes it is to provide for cyclists, but sometimes the roads are so narrow to begin with that the outcome of works makes it difficult for everybody to use such a carriageway. I have seen it...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I am trying to be helpful, Deputy, but-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: They should not be passing each other, anyway, I suppose, in one way.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will come back to the Deputy and talk to him. It is probably an NTA project.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising that. He is saying there are two special classes in one physical classroom. I will get on to the Ministers in respect of this and get this issue resolved.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy said it was over a ten-year period.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: When he said they were overturned or quashed, I would have to interrogate his language in terms of how he defines "quashed" and "overturned". The Minister is bringing in legislation to deal with all of this but there was a time ten years ago when a Deputy like Deputy Tóibín - maybe not Deputy Tóibín himself - would stand up in this House and make an appeal to the Minister...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: Opinions have changed and I understand why. I am just making the point we can put ten years together and try to-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I understand what your narrative will be. I understand what the soundbite on social media will be. You are trying to create a story around certain parties doing X while you are doing Y. The bottom line is society was in a particular place ten years ago on this and is in a totally different position right now. Circumstances have changed-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: ------wars have happened, conflicts have happened. We need a bit more honesty and sensitivity in what we are doing.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: In terms of people who are not entitled to seek asylum here, the Minister has effected deportations. A lot do leave. The gardaí tell us they leave the jurisdiction and are not availing of any resources.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I do not have the specifics of the case. As I explained in an earlier reply, huge resources are going into additional needs. We have thousands of SNAs - I think it is 23,400. I do not know whether it is an SNA the child requires or some additional-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I do not know the engagement the school has had with the National Council for Special Education. A lot of resources are being made available to try to ensure a child can not only go to school but can be there for the full time, like any other child. I do not have the specifics of the case but if the Deputy sends them to the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, and me, we can see the precise...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 14, inclusive, together. The National Economic and Social Council advises me on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Ireland. NESC is currently working in four main areas. With regard to Ireland’s future power system and economic resilience, this work investigates the impact of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: Quite a number of questions were asked about the NESC report. I certainly will revert back to NESC on Deputy Brendan Smith's consistent seeking of a particular study on the challenges facing the central Border area. A number of reports have been done by NESC on North-South development but Deputy Smith wants something a bit more specific on the central Border area and the challenges in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----to take on the might of Dublin and the big cities. In any event, we will work on that. In response to Deputy Murphy, I believe that local authorities should be far more active in the pursuit of CPOs on derelict sites. There is the Derelict Sites Act. Some complain that it is not strong enough. I have never bought into that. I have always sensed that in a lot of local authorities...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: In response to Deputy Geoghegan, I met with David McRedmond recently. We are making progress. The interdepartmental group will, I hope, bring proposals soon and I will bring that to the House in due course before the recess.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 to 25, inclusive, together. The Cabinet Committee on Northern Ireland was created on 18 February 2025 to oversee implementation of relevant programme for Government commitments and ongoing developments in relation to Northern Ireland, Irish-British relations and the shared island initiative. As well as considering issues relevant to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank all of the Deputies for raising their various issues. On the work of the shared island unit, Deputy McGreehan mentioned Greenore Port. The first port of call - excuse the pun - should be to the Department of Transport. The shared island unit is not there to replace existing funding streams or strategies but to develop connectivity at structural levels, community levels, between...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (13 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: Let me finish, please.