Results 51,141-51,160 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: First, I thank the Deputy for his comment. I think it is a very fair point in terms of the need for a forward planning unit in the Department of children. There is one now to identify the gaps and the needs of a growing population for childcare services. It will be resourced. It has been a success and impactful in the Department of education relative to the situation prior to that, when...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this. It is an issue, and as newer technologies emerge, we are getting more crowded road space again. Just as we have begun to segregate cycling and walking from motor transport, we now find that some of those routes are crowded out by e-scooters and e-bikes, which are fantastic for people who may not be as fit as others for getting up a hill and so on. There...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Which one?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will ask the Minister in respect of this and indicate that the Deputy raised it, although I am not clear from the Deputy's presentation as to why it is still in preplanning or whether there were particular difficulties with the planning.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will talk to the Minister in respect of it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: First of all, there is a comprehensive European Union legislative framework in place to regulate safe drone operations that is directly applicable in Ireland. I made this point last week in the Dáil. These regulations cover both recreational and commercial use, including commercial drone delivery services. The Irish Aviation Authority, the civil aviation regulator, oversees the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Did the Minister, James Lawless, not dig a sod in the technological university just a couple of weeks ago for a new engineering block worth about €120 million?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: By the way, I was the Minister who secured the site for that university-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----in terms of a new site to get it developed, and it has been a very great success story. The URDF funding was very significant for Waterford as well, and that should be acknowledged.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I have not seen the economic monitor yet. I would like to see it because there has been there has been significant investment, both public and private, in Waterford - thankfully, because it is a good thing - and in the south east more generally. I will have a look at that. The economy is growing. Unemployment is at 4%, which is more or less equivalent to full employment, so it is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: If the Deputy could send me on the-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Is it "Lies, lies and damned statistics"? I am not saying the Deputy is saying that. That is just a common quote, before I get into more trouble.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: There were many times in Kerry apparently when there were many lock-ins. I would say the Deputy has outdone Leo Varadkar in terms of night life. He is extolling the virtues of going the whole night long.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: In terms of night life. Bí cúramach anois. The big issue is about drinking till 2 a.m. This is the first time it has ever been presented to me in the Dáil that the Deputy wants us to go to 3 a.m.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I have the Minister for justice alongside me. He has heard the Deputy's pleas.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: He has undertaken to go down to Puck Fair. I will see what I can do to attend as well but I may not be around at the time.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, there are regulations in place under the EU legislative framework to regulate safe drone operations. The Irish Aviation Authority, the civil aviation regulator, oversees the implementation of those regulations. I did indicate earlier that work on the drafting of the policy framework was recently finalised. It is expected to be approved and published in the coming weeks.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I know, Deputy, but we either say "No" to drones altogether because-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: We are the most regulated country. Let the policy framework come up, then we can analyse it. The Oireachtas will have an opportunity-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: We should. We can do that but it is about enforcement and catching people. Fundamentally, it is about behavioural change. Cork is not a dirty city.