Results 2,621-2,640 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----there has been huge progress in the economy in Waterford, with regard to investment in the infrastructure, the public realm, the north quays, the university and the hospital as well.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: First, I accept that the affordable purchase homes scheme at Oscar Traynor Road are subsidised through the local authority shared equity scheme, not the first home shared equity scheme, as I inadvertently said. However, that does then mean that is also subsidised up to potentially €100,000 under that scheme, plus the €30,000 from the help-to-buy scheme, which the Deputy did not...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The only way to deal with affordable housing, in my view, is more supply, and we have to build more houses. I would argue that the schemes, and the multiple schemes we have for affordability, are far superior than anything the Deputy's party has produced so far. In fact, his party would take away those schemes we have provided, and I think that would be very detrimental to affordability and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is not the policy, nor should it be the policy, that responses occur via protests alone. Every child is entitled, in my view, to the fundamentals. There was a court action which effectively meant the HSE had to go back to the drawing board with regard to the assessment of need process. We may have to look at legislation in that respect. It would be interesting to see how the Oireachtas...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Review mechanisms have been built into the legislation. Doors are not finally closed. However, I would offer this point as well. I set up the commission into industrial schools. I remember meeting on day one with the survivors, who actually never looked for a redress scheme. It was clear to me that future housing, healthcare and constant counselling were important - so lifelong. At...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Having been through this for 20 or 25 years now, I have seen that in all of the various commissions and investigations, lawyers get involved very quickly and it moves very quickly to redress. We do it, and the State owes redress, but the more substantive response in my view is lifelong provision of counselling, housing and supports for people who have been through terrible ordeals in their...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have listened to the same Leaders' Questions from Deputy Shanahan for four years now. I do not believe he is being fair in his description of the economic, educational or health development and expansion in Waterford. In terms of employment Waterford is in very strong employment. Employment is up 26% across the south east. We are in an era of full employment. Enterprise Ireland client...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has this tendency to suggest in a very self-righteous way-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Through the Chair please.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: She has a tendency to suggest in a very self-righteous way that everybody else in the House has a somehow inferior approach to what is a very fundamental issue for all of us.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will deal with the question.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Cairns raised the issue of the Defence Forces and I answered on the Defence Forces. She said that it was all talk on this side of the House. I made a response, which I am entitled to make, that it is not all talk. I acknowledged that every Member in the House has a shared objective and I outlined what the Government is doing in response to the Deputy's assertions that it is doing...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: That is the case. Come on. In the past, I have seen investigations into horrific child abuse in respect of dental practice.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is no question but that the taxi regulator should have a role in ensuring that no rogue taxi driver, particularly a taxi driver involved in sexual assault, can ever drive a taxi again.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: While I will not go into any individual case, in my view, any taxi driver who has committed an assault should be in prison.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Across society, we have regulated extensively.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: We have regulated extensively. With regard to the Medical Council and the Dental Council, we will continue to see if we can enhance that regulation.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this case and this issue. The life story she outlined is harrowing. I accept the presentation she has made in respect of that life journey and what happened in our past as regards institutionalisation and how our society evolved in respect of children who were subsequently adopted and children who were placed in less than ideal situations. The Deputy said...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: An audit, by definition, happens after a particular programme of action has taken place. You cannot audit something within three weeks of the money being allocated. That does not make any sense.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: That is what the Deputy is suggesting.