Results 3,581-3,600 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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.

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

Micheál Martin: The whole idea of auditors going in is-----

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

Micheál Martin: Money has been spent; therefore, we go in and diligently, in a detailed way, find out where the money was spent. We do know that an additional 200 clinicians and so on were appointed and that there is a fifth theatre there. That is not all not directed to scoliosis. Of course, quite a significant amount of that will be of benefit to scoliosis patients. There have been other issues within...

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

Micheál Martin: That cannot be done three weeks in.

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

Micheál Martin: The most important issue for us now is, through existing capacities within CHI and the hospitals and whatever other means in terms of-----

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

Micheál Martin: -----external work, to get these lists down as quickly as we possibly can.

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

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Government published in 2022 a five-year zero-tolerance strategy and has established Cuan, the agency which we agreed with all involved in the sector would deliver on this ambition. It has an overall budget of €59 million for 2024. I pay tribute again to Natasha O'Brien and Bláthnaid Raleigh and others who have come forward to tell...

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

Micheál Martin: Ar dtús báire, caithfidh mé a rá go bhfuil an Rialtas sásta agus den tuairim go gcaithfimid gach aon iarrachta a dhéanamh chun liostaí feithimh na leanaí atá ag feitheamh ar obráidí scolóise a ísliú chomh tapa agus is féidir linn. Is é seo aidhm an Rialtais agus aidhm gach éinne sa Teach seo. Tá an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR or Naturalisation. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Passport Service has issued over 650,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times with the majority of adult online renewal applications issuing within two working days. There currently no backlogs and 95% of applicants apply through Passport Online. The Passport Service takes its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has longstanding ties with Singapore and Malaysia and this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with both countries. In line with the Government’s Asia Pacific Strategy, my Department aims to deepen its engagement with countries in South East Asia, including Malaysia and Singapore. In this context, an additional posted staff member was assigned to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (4 Jul 2024)

Micheál Martin: Since Ireland's Consulate General was established in Manchester, North of England, in 2021, the Consul General and Vice Consul have engaged extensively with a wide range of figures from across the region to strengthen political, commercial, community and cultural ties between Ireland and the North of England. These ties are significant, as was evidenced by President Higgin’s recent...