Results 2,461-2,480 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I do believe in debate and discussions; I always have. I have engaged in them. By the way, I think it is good that the Government has gone full term; I have been very consistent on that. It allows us to do policies on a medium- to long-term basis which is good for the country. I think having elections every two years would be bad for the country and would be disruptive. I note the...

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

Micheál Martin: I have been involved in more debates than the Deputy ever has been. I have no problem with debates and I hope that debates can be organised but I do not govern all that.

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

Micheál Martin: I acknowledge what the Deputy has said about the US presidential election. Given the strength of the economic relationship between the United States and Ireland it is a very important relationship. More than 200,000 jobs are provided by US companies in Ireland directly, with many more indirectly. Irish companies provide approximately 100,000 jobs in America and more indirectly. This...

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

Micheál Martin: I will discuss it with the Deputy. There are no big surprises in what has been identified.

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

Micheál Martin: Generally speaking, when talking to people we find they do not feel as safe in urban environments, particularly at night, as they once would have. Many factors are responsible for that in cities and in towns across the country. Obviously, Covid interrupted training in Templemore and recruitment of gardaí and we would have loved to have recruited more gardaí. There are also other...

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

Micheál Martin: I am talking about cities in general; the Deputy mentioned cities in general. Of course, I work most, if not all, of the week here in Dublin. I have a great affection for Dublin. I like Dublin and I walk a lot around Dublin. The task force report has been produced and the city council has resources. The various local authorities around Dublin have substantial resources. We will continue...

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

Micheál Martin: I am not aware of the specific site. However, from the beginning of this Government, we have been determined to bring about a step change in the number of social and affordable homes that would be built in the country and we have done that compared with what was done in the previous number of years. As I said earlier, 12,000 social homes were delivered last year, approximately 8,000 of...

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

Micheál Martin: -----and acquiring state land.

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

Micheál Martin: The planners in the local authority should deal with a situation like that. If the Deputy is saying there has been a fundamental breach of the planning laws, it should be dealt with. The planning laws should be enforced and that is a matter for the local authority. It should get on and do it.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am in a state of shock at the Deputy's description of Cork politics and psychology.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I must invite the Deputy to Cork. He has had an obsession with Cork, which is quite interesting. I do not know who he has been working with on that but-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I think it is a bit much to describe as conservative and gossipy the politics of the city of Cork. Many Cork people would be offended by that. The modern city is broadminded. It is a great maritime city. It is open and inclusive and successful culturally. Cillian Murphy's win at the Oscars is the latest manifestation of the cultural richness of the city. I know the Deputy wants to talk...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: This Government has invested very significantly in Waterford. The €170 million for the North Quays' development is transformative in the heart of the city. I am delighted with that. The Deputy has to acknowledge the establishment of the South East Technological University, SETU. Lately, there has been great news about the veterinary college at Kildalton, the pharmacy school now...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has to acknowledge that in all of these matters of cardiac care and so on, the clinicians set the standards. This was agreed by most parties about 20-odd years ago, when there were political rows all over the place about where various services were to be located. The idea of national strategies in cancer and cardiovascular were developed, which have had the kind of huge impacts I...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am doing so. I am trying to make the point that we have gone back to clinicians to say that we need to do this differently in Waterford, with the result that 90% coverage will be achieved with the provision of the second CAT lab and the extra staffing that will facilitate the weekend cover, which will be key. The clinicians tell us this will give us 90% coverage. Compared to where we...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: There has been recruitment and there will be further recruitment to the facility. I appreciate the Deputy's advocacy.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I acknowledge and I am acutely aware that the Government and the country are facing significant challenges in respect of housing, which we discussed earlier, the cost of living, health, climate change and many other important issues, and I look forward to getting out about the country to debate these issues in the time ahead. However, it is important to meet head-on the narrative that the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: Just more than 50% of the population has completed higher level education and that has doubled in just 20 years. More pupils than at any point in the past century are being taught as Gaeilge. We are living much longer now, with an average life expectancy of 82 years. We are healthier than we have ever been and, for example, smoking is at the lowest level in 50 years. Deputy Smith may not...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: We have made a lot of progress in this country. It is wrong that Deputy Smith does not at least have the good grace to acknowledge the extraordinary progress the country has made, notwithstanding the challenges that we have. We have made progress as a country.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am the son of a busman.