Results 50,341-50,360 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: International Relations (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: We are not going to change a whole lot on our own, to be brutally honest about it.

Ceisteanna - Questions: International Relations (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: Within the European Union, we can change. We were effective on UNRWA, for example. When there was a big move on to take funding away from UNRWA, we intervened, doubled down and increased our funding significantly. We said at the Foreign Affairs Council that other countries should not go along with the herd and withdraw their funding. There have been changes in the response of the European...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: 4 o’clock I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 21, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness last met yesterday and is scheduled to next meet on 14 July. Membership of the committee comprises: the Taoiseach; the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and for Defence; the Minister for Finance; the Minister...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Deputies for raising a range of issues. I think it began with Deputy Ó Murchú. Am I correct? Was it Deputy Bacik? I apologise.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: The CETA trade deal was raised by a number of Deputies. I support what Deputy Malcolm Byrne articulated and am opposed to what Deputy Paul Murphy articulated. CETA is in provisional operation as we speak. The figures are interesting for the growth in trade between Ireland and Canada and particularly for Irish exports to Canada, which have gone up something like 460% - I can check it -...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----on trade deals of this kind when the European Union negotiates on behalf of European member states. They have a significant impact on a small open economy such as Ireland, which needs access to markets all over the world. It is that simple.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Supreme Court did not bury it. It actually indicated the remedy, the avenue to facilitating the legislation for the CETA trade deal, which Deputy Bacik referenced - the Arbitration Act. It was approved today by the Cabinet and will go forward for legislation. The occupied territories Bill was also approved today. The Minister brought it to the Cabinet and it will go to the Dáil...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----and putting us into straightjackets that would reduce supply. On the councils,-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----we will engage with the county councils. The Minister engages with all county councils in this respect. We will engage with Fingal County Council, which the Deputy mentioned, and have done so. The previous Minister did as well, with a lot of good developments. There is a memo coming to the Government, as I said to Deputy Geoghegan on the last occasion - I think he raised it last...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: My apologies. There has been extensive engagement with companies. I have been in touch with many of the CEOs of major pharmaceutical, technology and medtech companies. The Tánaiste has been involved and has convened a trade forum. We are involved with Irish companies and multinationals based in Ireland at all levels - diplomatically, politically and business to business - while also...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I do not anticipate that we will hold the referendum in that regard on the same day as the presidential election. I am a great believer that we should have separate referendums on separate issues. The Deputy has been very consistent and persistent on this matter. He is correct that for an innovative economy, we should do it. However, we need to prepare properly for when we decide to have...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry, Deputy O'Connor. We need to push the caution button. Solar is at approximately 3%. It is growing. Fossil fuel is not sustainable either. We need a balance. We have done well in the context of onshore wind. We have a journey to go on offshore wind, and solar will play a part in that mix. I was in Texas prior to going to Washington, which is the subject matter of all...

Apology to Shane O'Farrell and his Family: Statements (27 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I would like to say a few brief words on behalf of the Government of Ireland in advance of the Minister for Justice’s, Deputy O'Callaghan, apology to Shane O’Farrell and his family for the failures of the criminal justice system in this case. In the first instance, it is incumbent on me, on behalf of the entire Government, to recognise the deep pain, trauma and sense of loss...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy said this is a moment for the Government to articulate its leadership in human rights, or words to that effect. The Government has been demonstrating its leadership in human rights for quite some time and since this war began, consistently and strongly. We have been consistent in our support of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination and in condemning the war...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----between the Government, the Opposition and the people of Ireland in respect of what Israel is doing in Gaza and undermine the integrity, commitment and good faith of the Government. The Deputy bandies around words such as "facilitate" and "complicit in" genocide, which are false. There is a false narrative being peddled by the Deputy. The latest now is this issue of the Central...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----but the truth does not matter in this. The issuer, the State of Israel or the Israeli Government, does not become regulated. We are not regulating or endorsing anything.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: As soon as night follows day, when this happens something else will come on the agenda.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I would love to get to the bottom of it because it is unworthy. We should be seeking to work together to see how best we can persuade Israel and how best the international community can.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: An rud is tábhachtaí ar fad ná-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----gur chóir go mbeadh an Tigh aontaithe i gcoinne an méid atá á dhéanamh ag Iosrael.