Results 50,401-50,420 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: When we bring proposals, however, to the House-----
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: We will be bringing forward a series of proposals - the decision yesterday on planning was a good one - and further initiatives on housing. I hope we will get the support of the House as we implement those decisions.
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: Non-governmental organisations are there for legitimate reasons and are entitled to advocate. However, just because they say something, we should not, herd-like, all agree with what they say. We need more intelligent and informed debate. The Deputy referred to the Fianna Fáil housing Department. The Environmental Protection Agency completed a consultation on characterising heavily...
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: Standing back from it all and looking at pre-1990 levels, Ireland has made significant progress.
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: I am not. The Deputy needs to open up and engage with the public out there. This has been a problem.
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: We have to bring people with us. I was a member of the Government that brought in the toughest and most stringent climate Act. The previous Government did that.
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: Let us not lecture each other on this. The bottom line is that the population has grown exponentially. Economic growth has been quite exponential over the past decade. Notwithstanding that, there was a quite significant reduction in Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions over that period. That is all I am saying. Let us not deny that either. There is an enormous challenge to get to the 2030...
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: The Deputy would seek to undermine their position even more.
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: Deputy, I know you would eliminate Irish agriculture if you had your way; you do not believe in it.
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: You would; that is your position.
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: More or less, that is what you would do. The bottom line is that the most recent emissions inventory report from April of this year shows a reduction of 6.8% in Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. That is compared with 2022, which saw a 1.9% reduction. This is the lowest our greenhouse gas emissions have been in three decades, so the Government is making progress. The Deputy may...
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the specifics of the application of the first home scheme in a given area where prices are increasing. I acknowledge the point he makes. I will talk to Minister for housing in respect of the thresholds issue. The first home scheme has been very effective and impactful so far for many people, notwithstanding that many in the House would abolish it, as has the...
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: -----in order that we would have car-free days?
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: It is very clear that following his cycle in this morning the Deputy is in robust health and raring to go.
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: That is an innovative idea-----
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: -----in terms of Bogotá and so on. A local authority should initiate a pilot. Up to two to three years ago, cars were being driven up and down the Marina in Cork. Now it is a promenade. That was beautifully done as part of the active travel programme. Bar one or two residents who have to use cars there, it is a walking area. The transformation has been quite amazing. People still...
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy McCarthy for raising the issue of Shanagarry, which is famed for its pottery and so on. I will raise the issue with Uisce Éireann. There is a town and villages scheme, as the Deputy knows, that had limitations regarding funding. There is engagement, and a memorandum is being worked up, it is my understanding, by Irish Water in respect of local developers that are...
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: I can recall two years ago when Sinn Féin was arguing and advocating very strongly that Government would do more to provide accommodation for those seeking asylum.
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: That was Sinn Féin's position then and Government did respond to its advocacy and others', and the international law, in terms of procuring services. The Department of children had to procure services in an accelerated way. The cost of those services is expensive. There is no question about that. In fact, Government is legally vulnerable if it does not provide such services or such...
- Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (28 May 2025)
Micheál Martin: I know now Sinn Féin has changed tack a bit and is moving in a different direction. I understand that. Politics is always supreme with it, but I-----