Results 20,401-20,420 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: As for the functioning of government, the previous Government had a range of advisers, press secretaries and other support staff for not only the Fine Gael Party but also the Independent Alliance and other Independents. This is a tripartite Government and I will retain roughly the same number of staff that the previous Taoiseach had, but there will be a Tánaiste's office within the...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I move the following Revised Estimates: Vote 1— President’s Establishment (Revised Estimate) That a sum not exceeding €4,500,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2020, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Secretary General to the President, for certain other expenses of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Of course.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I dealt with the issue earlier. HIQA is the regulating authority and it should compile a report on the matter. It should ensure that the family of Mr. Ultan Meehan get a comprehensive account of what happened to deal with the terrible anguish they have experienced to date, particularly Mrs. Meehan.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I will engage with the relevant Department. One must be balanced about the leaving certificate and the allocation of third level places because there are many competing rights. What is done to affirm and help people in one area could have the unintended consequence of undermining the rights of others and their access to places in medicine or other courses. I make that general point. ...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is talking about students who have been taught at home. I know from experience that there is no easy answer.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Of course we can engage, but I am talking about the allocation of third level places.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I will work to see can we develop a structured link between schools and youth drug services. The more critical point is that there are very strong self-esteem and self-respect modules of learning within school curricula and programmes to enable young people to be strong enough within their peer groups to resist temptation and being lured into behaviour which is injurious and damaging to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this challenging and urgent issue. Without question, it is having an impact on construction in terms of the supply of timber. The delays in licence applications for felling and planting are simply unacceptable and not sustainable into the future. I have asked the relevant Minister to expedite action in this regard and to see what measures are required to get...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I hope we will have the July stimulus within the next three weeks, maybe within the next fortnight. The Tánaiste, the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, I and others are working on the package and a special Cabinet committee will meet this week to go through the detail of the package. It will obviously have to be debated in the House and there will be legislation...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Specific legislation in the aviation sector is not on the agenda in the short term. The Deputy's point about regional balance in economic development is part and parcel and at the centre of the programme for Government. We need to reorder the economic balance in the country in my view.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Aviation is in difficulty because of Covid-19, and there is no getting away from that. Travel advisories relating to Covid and the advice that one should not travel will have an impact-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: -----but public safety comes first. There should be capacity to deal with the Shannon Heritage sites, particularly since we are encouraging people to holiday at home - staycation and so forth. Therefore, I would have thought quite a number of facilities can be made available for people to enjoy, as the Deputy outlined.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Historically, broadband has been underprovided in rural areas. That said, the programme for Government is committed to rolling out the national broadband contract as agreed by the previous Government. The indications are that the company may be in a position to accelerate some dimensions of that plan. The objective is to get broadband rolled out as quickly as possible. The Minister will...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: This morning's statement by the Central Bank Governor is very revealing and important, and will have to inform future interactions with the pillar banks. I understand the Minister for Finance will be assessing that statement of the Governor of the Central Bank and will determine policy after that in terms of his interaction with the banks.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. Since we raised this issue the last time, the outgoing Taoiseach outlined that there would be a redesign or a review of the redress scheme and that it would be changed. That work is under way. I understand that since the judge's determination at the time and the review, offers of compensation have been made to 13 survivors as a result of that...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The relevant Ministers for Transport, Tourism and Sport, and Housing, Planning and Local Government-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has a clear role and responsibility here. Obviously, he will examine this now as the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. Certainly, we will see what we can do on it. I will not make any off-the-cuff commitments today. Given the opportunity to increase the building of housing, it is obviously something we will look at...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am of a view that parents should not have to go to court to get the most basic rights for their children. There have been issues ever since that Act was introduced in 2005. I understand that some sections of that Act remain to be commenced regarding children with special needs. The allocation of resources in education does not always depend on that assessment of need having taken place...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.