Results 2,441-2,460 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, Covid-19 had an impact on recruitment more generally. We need more gardaí and we need them more quickly. Recruitment has increased significantly over the past two years. Over the next number of years, there will have to be significant and substantial recruitment of members of the Garda to ensure the requisite number of gardaí are in towns the length and breadth...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: First, the Government has taken a decision to establish the inquiry in the form that it has. It is open to a new Government to examine that. It certainly will examine it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: We have to be conscious that to do it for just one nursing home could be problematic.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am not saying no to it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: Others may come forward. I do not want to make cast-iron guarantees on one specific home without looking at the broader issue of nursing homes more generally, which needs to be examined.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: It has come to our attention that Kathleen Watkins, the famous musician, harpist, writer and broadcaster, has passed away this morning, five years after her beloved Gay Byrne passed away. She was the first continuity announcer on RTÉ on the opening night of Teilifís Éireann on new year's eve 1961. She was an iconic figure in Irish broadcasting, in terms of the history of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I would. The new Government would be in a position to do that properly and comprehensively, having looked at all of the issues of the terrible events of 45 years ago, and to do so in an informed and proper way. I recently received correspondence on this. It will fall to the new Government to examine that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ar dtús báire, táim sásta geallúint a thabhairt go leanfar ar aghaidh leis an reachtaíocht sin. Sula dtéimid isteach in aon rialtas eile, ba chóir don Teachta bheith cinnte nach mbeimid ar an taobh seo den Teach ag dul isteach i rialtas gan an gheallúint a bheith laistigh den chlár Rialtais nua go gcríochnófar an Bille seo agus...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I met the Deputy at Sarsfields grounds after the flooding. The club played a role in helping to alleviate the danger to the town when those horrific floods happened. We went to the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and, in what was an exceptional measure given the impact of the floods in destroying the entire grounds, an allocation to the club of €570,000 was announced some...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is good news all around.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The power up grant announced as part of the budget builds on the successful increased cost of business scheme that this year has paid out some €244 million to more than 75,000 businesses right across the country. The power up grant now has a budget of €170 million. Qualifying businesses will receive a grant of €4,000. More...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Brandon Roche. It is a very sad situation for his family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Prevention is the key in terms of mental health more generally, but it begins earlier in life. The most important programmes are the social, personal and health education, SPHE, programmes in primary schools where children build...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: We must continue to do that. I pay tribute to all of the search and rescue teams and organisations, some of which we fund, including the Civil Defence and others across the board.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is a sad situation. We must keep working on it. Investment has increased but it is a societal issue as well.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I agree that Tipperary is a most noble county, and a beautiful one, but on the specific issue Deputy McGrath references, the Government has taken a position that in the future it does not want hotels to be used for the purposes of housing asylum seekers. Hotels in towns in particular are a vital piece of the tourism infrastructure. We are endeavouring to create State-owned facilities and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have met with relatives. I attend the ceremony every year.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will meet them. There has never been an issue with meeting Relatives for Justice.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been very helpful. I have been supportive of the work of Relatives for Justice. They certainly have not been stonewalled by the Irish State. I am very clear on that. The Irish Government has led the way in trying to put pressure on the British Government to release particular material and files on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I am still committed to it,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am not playing elections with them.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his question. I also pay tribute to him for his outstanding contribution to this House as a parliamentarian over many years. He has always been attentive, dutiful and informed on the issues of the day, be they domestic, European or international. His consistency and application are exemplary. Perhaps Deputies in the new Dáil could follow his example in terms...