Results 51,001-51,020 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: ----but maybe the Minister can respond to the specifics of that. On Deputy McGuinness' question, as he knows there had been a previous industrial relations issue about secretaries' salaries. That was settled with Fórsa trade union. The term used at the time was full and final settlement. I acknowledge pensions is a separate issue. First of all, school secretaries are an extremely...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 to 27, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on infrastructure last met on Monday, 28 April and is due to meet again on Thursday, 17 July. The committee oversees programme for Government commitments in relation to infrastructure delivery and its work reflects the importance this Government is placing on the issue. The delivery of growth...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Deputies for the contributions. Deputy Bacik raised the greater Dublin drainage project. As she said herself, it was quashed by the High Court, for some technical reason or whatever. The Government is not responsible for that. I do not know what the issues were that led to-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I know but the Deputy asked a very interesting question: what will be done at the highest level? Is she saying we should interfere with An Bord Pleanála? I am not being facetious.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: We want it out of An Bord Pleanála as quickly as we can but, given the experience of the High Court the last time, I presume those concerned do not want to end up there again. We have the commission, An Coimisiún Pleanála, which will over time be given mandatory timelines to deliver on planning positions. It is a very serious issue. One wonders why we have had serial...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I actually won it but at great cost subsequently, I can say. In response to Deputy Coppinger, as I indicated earlier there actually is a European directive.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Aviation Authority has responsibilities here.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, will publish a policy framework in the summer in respect of drones. I do think there are issues. There is a balance in respect of the growth of technology and Enterprise Ireland supports up-and-coming technology companies. Drones will be used everywhere in different contexts.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I do not agree with it for fast food. I was going to come to that. The Deputy is implying a criticism of Enterprise Ireland for supporting a technology company.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I do not criticise Enterprise Ireland for supporting a technology company or a drone company. There are applications of drones that would be particularly legitimate. Why someone has to get a drone for a cup of coffee is beyond me. You need to walk around to the local shop and get your coffee, or make the cup of coffee, or green tea or whatever your poison is. I have to agree with the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I apologise. To Deputy Ó Cearúil, I absolutely agree on the need for social infrastructure to be considered alongside expansion, schools, creches and other social infrastructure. I agree with Deputy Heneghan on the detention ponds and all that. There are mechanisms that are low cost that can be used and should be deployed. On Dublin Bay more generally, we want to clean up our...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I was intrigued by the Deputy's commentary that he has very good local contacts with Uisce Éireann and that occasionally he has very good engagement with the corporate level but suddenly it seems to have fallen into a lull at the moment.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: You want us to step in and resuscitate----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: ----oil the wheels of your engagement process with Uisce Éireann. I will take an opportunity to refer them to your comments.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will remember that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. One of the appalling features of the war on Gaza has been the indiscriminate slaughter of innocent children. The serial killing of children as a result of indiscriminate bombing, attacks and shootings has shocked the world. The scale of injuries suffered by so many children is truly appalling. As a country, we have a strong tradition...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Is oth liom a rá nach bhfuil an Teachta McDonald cruinn leis an eolas atá aici agus leis an méid a dúirt sí ar maidin faoin gceist seo. Táim dearfach go mbeidh an Rialtas ag déanamh gach aon iarracht na leanaí seo a thabhairt isteach chomh tapa agus is féidir linn. Tá-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: ----- roinnt déanta againn ach tá níos mó le déanamh againn. In respect of the Deputy's case, she has moved on now because the earlier assertions were wrong.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: They were fundamentally wrong. While there is no issue with raising questions and so on, the absolute motivation on the Deputy's side all the time seems to be to seek to sow doubt over the bona fides of-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----Government on a fundamental humanitarian question. That is not acceptable. From the very beginning of this war we did everything to get Irish citizens out of Gaza. Our embassies and our diplomats did everything possible to do it. Why does the Deputy think we would try to delay children coming out of Gaza? How dare you make that assertion.