Results 2,941-2,960 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I pay tribute to the Minister of State, James Browne, for his championing of the gambling legislation. He has put significant work into that. I hope the House can get that Bill passed through both the Dáil and the Seanad-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----before anything else happens in the time ahead. I appeal to everybody in the House for co-operation in getting that legislation through. I agree with Deputy Shanahan about that gambling block. I will talk to the Minister and engage with the other banks about following the lead given by Allied Irish Banks with that initiative. Gambling has created enormous harm for families and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I did not quite get the overall import of what the Deputy was saying. My understanding is that relates to material for adults. Is it teacher training material for SPHE or RSE?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will refer the matter to the Minister and ask her to come back to the Deputy on it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is no excuse for empty local authority houses. The local authority should get going. I remember in 2020 and 2021 that we provided additional resources to get voids done. Thousands were done across the country. It is unacceptable that houses have been left idle after they have been vacated. Local authorities really need to get going on the voids too. Social housing is the key way...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Last year, about 12,000 social houses were delivered. Of those, 8,500 were new builds.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: What I am drawing from the presentation is that the local authorities in Galway need to increase the output. I will talk to the Minister and ask him to review the situation in Galway to see what the issues are.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy and I agree with the concept of extra time. In fact, when I was Minister for Education and Science between 1997 and 2000, I introduced an extra half hour for dyslexia. At that time we did not have a State Examinations Commission, but then when I left education, it changed and they took it back again. They said some people were complaining it was too long for...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: Obviously, changes in this area can have repercussions and implications. I will refer the matter to the Minister for Social Protection and ask that a response would issue to the Deputy in respect of the issue he raises. I understand the point he is making, which applies in means-tested situations. I will come back to him.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is making fair points. The situation is not satisfactory at all. 1 o’clock Since the High Court decision of more than a year ago, we need to legislate. The Oireachtas needs to bite the bullet and legislate on assessments of need because big delays are coming. There is now a huge absorption of professionals on the assessment side but not on the intervention side....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy. I will have to follow this up with the Minister. Is the Deputy talking about the Dublin Airport passenger cap?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: That has to stop. We need regional connectivity. The north west particularly suffers from a lack of connectivity by rail and by road, because of the A5 debate. We have to keep the air links to the north west open. If I had my way, I would prefer Derry to also have an air connection. This is something that can and needs to be sorted.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I certainly can. I am not familiar with the background but it seems systems can tie themselves up in knots unnecessarily. I do not see how else prescription medicines can be administered, particularly to senior citizens, people who are infirm and so on, if not by family members or carers, in accordance with guidance-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----from the GP and medical authorities. I will contact the Minister for Health.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: In the first instance, we need a full and comprehensive report regarding the reports we heard when coming into the Chamber. I do not have comprehensive report on what transpired in respect of UNIFIL positions in Lebanon prior to us coming in here. It would be wise to wait for a comprehensive account and report of the situation. Suffice it to say, a ceasefire should be immediately agreed...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: As Deputy Barry will know, Deputies Pádraig O'Sullivan and Christopher O'Sullivan have been relentlessly pursuing this issue on behalf of St. Killian's. Yesterday, they received communication from the HSE in respect of St. Killian's and the use of funding to provide therapeutic support. I have spoken to the principal on this issue. My clear position is that we need school-based...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: It will have to be continued. Whatever has started has to continue until we get a different system.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I spent two to two and half hours on Sunday morning listening to numerous presentations from our military leaders, the Chief of Staff, the deputy chief of staff and the director of operations, and the Defence Forces have advised that, despite recent media reports, there is both fresh food and contingency food packs available, certainly at UN position 2-45. The outpost has about 20 days'...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am not providing an umbrella of statistics. There is a fundamental issue here. The statistical data from the OECD shows that Ireland now has second-highest rate of practising nurses per 1,000 of population, among reported EU countries. However, let us put all that to one side. There is no doubt that health expenditure has increased exponentially. Yes, the population has grown as well...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (10 Oct 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am in a position to report to the House that a statement will issue shortly from our Defence Forces, stating that all Irish troops in Lebanon are accounted for and well. This is a relief to us after the reports that had been circulating prior to this session of leader's questions starting. I also want to pay tribute to our soldiers in Lebanon...