Results 221-240 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I find it extraordinary that we do not have unanimity in the House in terms of condemnation of Hamas's appalling attack on-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: By the way, I have never moved on from Gaza and I do not intend to move on from Gaza. I visited Gaza in 2009 after that war. We have always been consistent as a country. The party I lead was the first party in Europe and in government to recognise the right of Palestinians to a homeland. It matters to our party. Let us not try to out-virtue each other here.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: We will say what we feel.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: We will say it in the context of our informed perspective and our evidence-based approach to these issues. To respond to Deputy Murphy on the occupied territories Bill, it is in committee. I have always repeatedly said in terms of services that we need to assess that. The Attorney General is coming back to us on a number of fronts - one is implementability, by the way. The feedback I am...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I apologise.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Deputies who have raised a variety of questions. Deputy Malcolm Byrne raised an important issue in terms of Russia's aggression against Europe. I attended an event in the United Nations, chaired by Prime Minister Carney and President Zelensky and their respective spouses, in respect of the 20,000 abducted children. Ireland will continue to provide support. I would like to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I would not be sentimentally returning to the 1980s as a model for the future. I just would not do that.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: The population was much lower. There have been dramatic changes in Irish society in terms of population growth, economic growth, the challenge of climate and all of that. It is not as simple as presented. We cannot keep doing one-off budget packages forever. That seems to be the suggestion from the Opposition-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----that we should have a one-off package this year, a one-off package next year and so on. We just cannot continue to do that. Deputy O’Rourke raised an important issue. The qualifications issue pertains to some of the regulatory bodies in specific areas, namely the Medical Council, the Teaching Council – it may not like me saying this but I think it can be quite...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry, Deputy Conway-Walsh. I was just saying that renewable energy is the key and the green transition is the key. I accept her point. One of the issues we have is the over-reliance on fossil fuel important on a number of fronts. Energy security is the key one, by the way. Everybody here is complaining about the decision to have a LNG facility. It would be utterly irresponsible if...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 24, inclusive, together. The programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland's Future, recognises the importance of Cabinet committees to the policy development and oversight work of Government. The Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs was established by the Government on 15 February 2025. Its role is to oversee implementation of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Deputies who contributed. Deputy Malcolm Byrne was first out of the traps about the 11% of recommendations, which is quite low, implemented from the Draghi report. Ireland is already identifying the Single Market and some of the reforms in the Draghi and Letta reports for our Presidency of the European Union in the latter half of next year. We would like to see an...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I said that there would be a policy of prioritisation. We are working with Ireland's Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA, and indeed with others towards that end because some significant projects need to be progressed in the interests of the common good be it energy, water, particularly offshore wind and so forth.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy. It is good to see Deputy Heneghan back safe and sound. Well done on your efforts.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness last met on 14 July and the next meeting is scheduled for 27 November. The membership comprises the Taoiseach; Tánaiste; Minister for Finance; Minister Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; Minister for Climate,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: It is the Minister for Transport from an airport perspective, but if the local authority is engaging and is facilitative, it may not require its line Minister to approve it also. It probably does not. The new injection of private capital is a very significant development. I will talk to the Minister for Transport in respect of it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: That speaks to the point I have been making all afternoon. The need for grid resilience is enormous. The expenditure will be enormous. There are huge costs on the taxpayer for the expansion of the grid. I will talk to the Minister in respect of the specifics regarding the towns in north Kildare the Deputy outlined. That is perhaps a manifestation of the challenges we face with the growth...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: There are three significant schemes: the help-to-buy scheme, which is a substantial help; the first homes schemes, which is where the State injects a degree of equity and; third, the derelict and vacant homes grant, which is quite substantial and has enabled about 3,000 houses to become available, whereby people have refurbished such houses and got a substantial grant for doing so....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: Tá an-infheistíocht ag dul isteach sna scoileanna, agus ní hamháin sna scoileanna speisialta agus na ranganna speisialta. Tá scoileanna i gcoitinne i gceist freisin. Tá an-infheistíocht ar fad ann. Déanfaidh mé fiosrú leis an Aire maidir leis an scoil seo. Níl an t-eolas agam go mion faoi cad atá ar siúl idir an scoil agus...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising an important issue for her constituent, and more generally, as it could affect other people. I will ask the HSE and the Minister for Health to investigate the matter and to provide a note on it.