Results 2,081-2,100 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Hear me out, please.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: It happened already where the bespoke legislation was passed in respect of Kingsmills, for example, with a judge there paying tribute to the Irish Government. I am clear - I have been saying it to the Minister for Justice and his predecessor - that in respect of the Omagh bombing, there is an inquiry up and running and information should be provided by the Government, and the Department of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: On the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, I make the point that it was previous Fianna Fáil Governments that led the way in respect of inquiries into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: We know the outcome of the various reports in terms of access to the British files. I do not have time to respond to all the other Deputies. Deputy Daly raised the energy market and the energy question. The meeting was a preparatory meeting for the summit, which will happen in March and will be comprehensive. It will cover a wide range of issues which will involve a number of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 to 23, inclusive, together. Our new programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, commits to delivering for all people and all regions across our shared island over the next five years. The Government is committed to the unity of the Irish people and believes this can only be achieved through a sustained focus on and investment in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Regeneration Projects (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I wish to be associated with the comments of Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan in respect of the late Dan Wallace. He was a good friend of mine, a Member of this House for over 25 years and a Minister of State. He was a very decent man and a fierce advocate for the people of the north side of Cork. In some respects, I learned the nuts and bolts of electoral politics as a student with Dan...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 19, inclusive, together. I most recently met with Prime Minister Starmer on 3 February in Brussels in the margins of a dinner with European Union leaders that we both attended. We discussed our shared ambition to strengthen our bilateral relationship and looked forward to seeing each other at the first in a series of annual Ireland-United Kingdom...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I can confirm that I visited with Deputy McAuliffe at the time. We sought to unblock some funding and it is my understanding that it went through.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will certainly follow that up with the Minister. That is not acceptable that there is a 28-day delay. There should be cover for any tester who goes on leave. If there is no cover, the list will only grow. I will follow that up with the Minister.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Regeneration Projects (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, together. Proposals are currently being developed regarding the establishment of a task force for Cork city centre. Once they are finalised, the proposals will be submitted to the Government for its consideration. In essence, the role of the task force will be to examine and develop a strategy for the renewal and refurbishment of the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: In the context of the European Parliament - I did not see the exact motion by the way - we do not impose the same rigid discipline on public representatives generally that the Deputy's party might because they have to look at the broad range of issues. Motions can be long and they can be this and that. We are against the Mercosur deal on the basis that we have asked our farmers to reduce...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Developing areas have to be prioritised, as they have been for a number of years, because they are growing very fast and there is an inadequacy of provision. Special education is another area in which we must ensure extensions for autism classes or centres are fast-tracked, accelerated and provided in schools that are taking in children with additional needs. More proactivity is needed in...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Teachta Callaghan. I congratulate her and her family and wish her the very best in her time in Dáil Éireann. In respect of the new disability unit, we have already had meetings and I have already identified to my officials that I want a disability unit which works with all Departments in respect of the broad issue of disability to make sure that,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I am very aware of those attacks, as well as the violent events and incidents on the streets of Cork last summer. We need to recruit and allocate more gardaí to Cork city in particular. We intend to establish a city task force for the city centre area. More generally, there is a proactive plan ahead to increase the number of gardaí throughout the country which will enable us to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: As I said, these talks are going back to the WRC in the context of the last pay agreement. We are aiming to achieve pay parity. In the context of the earlier contribution to which I responded, we will be pursuing this as part of a wider range of issues in terms of disability more generally. This is part of it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I referenced that in the earlier replies, though some took issue with it, when I said the level of violence in our society needs to be addressed. We believe in proactive measures. We believe in prevention. We need to deal with excess alcohol and drug use, which are factors in violence on our streets and definitely in some instances, though not all, a factor in the unrestricted level of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: We need to look at the underlying issues giving rise to such violence on our streets because the Garda will never be at every scene every time. That starts right through our education system and the community in terms of creating an intolerant approach but also different strategies. I do not disagree with the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Minister, Deputy Foley, has brought that issue and we anticipate it now will be dealt with in the context of the WRC. My understanding is the WRC suspended talks for the duration of the general election. My understanding is also, and my hope, those talks will resume very quickly with a view to getting a resolution of this issue and a just resolution of it. We will be focusing on that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I agree on increased resources toward services for children with additional needs. In respect of school there should be no excuse for an absence of any place for any child. It is a constitutional right and there is legislation that places an obligation on schools and on the State. We may need to strengthen that legislation if it is not being enacted. There has been a reluctance to enact...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is clearly in line with Standing Orders because that is what the Shandon clock was known as. I am very sympathetic to facilitating that request and will speak to the Minister about Shandon, which is one of Cork's greatest landmarks. It is refreshing to hear the words "biggest clock face", which are only appropriate given it is the city of Cork. We need to revisit the issue of...