Results 20,201-20,220 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Functions (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The role of my Department is to assist my work as Taoiseach and the effective operation of Government. The Department’s staffing needs and structure are currently being reviewed in light of the priorities set out in the Programme for Government, including the range of Cabinet Committees outlined. A new Statement of Strategy setting out the strategic priorities of my Department will be...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Office of the Attorney General (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: There are no discretionary allowances for staffing provided to the Attorney General.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government sets out a number of reforms to be implemented in order to ensure openness and constructive cooperation within government. These include the establishment of an Office of the Tánaiste and an Office of the Leader of the Green Party within the Department of the Taoiseach, located in Government Buildings. The Office of the Tánaiste will consist of a private...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I will attend a meeting of the European Council this Friday and Saturday, 17 and 18 July 2020. While EU leaders have met five times in recent months by videoconference, and twice by videoconference with leaders from neighbouring regions, this will be the first time that leaders will meet in person since the special European Council held on 20 February and since the start of the current...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Deputy McDonald's question referenced section 38 and section 39 organisations; I understand the previous Government did make an allocation from the Dormant Accounts Fund to try to ease the pressure that many of them are under. That said, it is clear that their capacity to fundraise has been significantly reduced. Others have developed novel ways of trying to raise funding but it is not at...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: To respond to both Deputies, we are no longer talking about amounts of €20 million where health is concerned. We are talking about billions of euro being required by the Department of Health. The Estimates for the next 12 months will be quite staggering relative to what was spent prior to the emergence of the virus and issues to do with personal protective equipment and a variety of...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet committee on health was established by Government decision on 6 July last. The first meeting has been scheduled for 23 July. It will oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments on health and will receive detailed reports and identify policy areas and consider the implementation of health reforms, including Sláintecare, and the development of mental health...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Communications (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Nash's question was first. During my conversation with the British Prime Minister, on Brexit he said and we both agreed that it was in the best interests of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe that a comprehensive trade deal be agreed. We also agreed that we needed to get moving and introduce momentum to the talks. In my earlier conversation with Michel Barnier, there was a sense...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I would take on board what Deputy Nash has said. I do not disagree with the Deputy's point. The participation in the BEPS process is an important process. Initially, the corporation tax rate was very important. There is no point in pretending it was not. The Deputy does not suggest that but, as a former Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, particularly on the life sciences...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Communications (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, and 47 together. Since taking office, I have spoken with leaders, including the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Commission,Ursula von der Leyen, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, the United Kingdom's Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, the Portuguese...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: First, with regard to the Apple judgment, obviously we have the committee on economic recovery but the Cabinet as a whole will consider it this evening and will have a report on it. It is important to make the point that Ireland is only entitled to revenue within the law and legal framework. The essential judgment is that the Commission's decision is being annulled and so Ireland was not in...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I was not fully informed on 3 July.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy says when in the context of her assertion as to when I had full knowledge and I disagree with her.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I had a number of discussions over the last while. Yesterday, following my meeting with Deputy Cowen - there were others during the week - I apprised both the Tánaiste and the Minister, Deputy Ryan, in terms of the outcome of my discussions with Deputy Cowen and also of the fact I had seen what I took to be the PULSE file yesterday morning. I gave them my view and my intentions, by...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: There are more Deputies in the House, Deputy.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: In terms of the leaving certificate and the National Educational Psychological Service, it is important to point out that there have been significant reforms to the leaving certificate over the last 20 years with a greater reduction on the emphasis on written exams. That is a good thing. The benefit of the leaving certificate has been its anonymity, the fact that it is fair and that it...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy spoke to me before this session. It is very important project and one that has great potential for Waterford. I will pursue the issue. Notwithstanding that I am Taoiseach, it is not in my gift to instruct every Minister to provide every grant to every project. This is an important project with critical mass that can have knock-on benefits for the region. I will talk to the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am reluctant to intervene in such lyricism. The manner in which the Deputy can ream off wonderful phrases is something I genuinely enjoy. His point is well made. In respect of the plight of publicans in rural Ireland and the life experience of people more generally in terms of the impact of Covid-19, the overriding priority will be public health. Public health advice will be made...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I will take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The Government has established the following Cabinet committees: Covid-19; economic recovery and investment; housing; health; environment and climate change; social affairs and equality; education; Europe; Brexit and Northern Ireland; and Government co-ordination. I am a member of all committees, along with the Tánaiste and the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: There has been comprehensive engagement by the Minister and the Department - the Minister in particular - with the stakeholders involved in education with a view to facilitating the reopening of schools at the end of August. It is something to which I am personally very committed. As I have said repeatedly in the House, the reopening of schools is important for the development of the child...