Results 361-380 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Climate Action Plan (1 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Department of the Taoiseach tracks the delivery of actions committed to in the Climate Action Plan and publishes quarterly progress reports, in collaboration with implementing Departments. Following approval by Government, progress reports and detailed tables of actions completed and delayed are published online. The Climate Action Plan 2024 progress reports for quarters three and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cybersecurity Policy (1 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together. The Department of the Taoiseach implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security in line with the Public Sector Cyber Security Baseline Standards. The National Cyber Security Centre advises Departments not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise security. In...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (1 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on Water Quality has been established in accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government with a mandate to coordinate water quality improvements across all sectors. The membership comprises the Taoiseach; Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence; Minister for Finance; Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform;...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Official Engagements (1 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: I visited Austin and Washington D.C. for a programme of events to mark St. Patrick’s Day. In both locations I had a wide range of engagements meeting political counterparts, Irish community engagements, and business engagements facilitated by the relevant state agencies. In Texas I met with Governor Abbott. My political engagements in Washington included breakfast with the Vice...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Apr 2025)

Micheál Martin: The COVID-19 Evaluation, led by Professor Anne Scott, is completely independent in its functions. It decides on all matters relating to its operation, including its procedures and its programme of work, guided by its publicly available Terms of Reference. Information on the planned programme of work of the COVID-19 Evaluation is available on its dedicated website: www.covid19evaluation.ie....

Post European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: That is so untrue. The truth never matters.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: The official record is the official record.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: It has not been voted on.

Post European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I attended a meeting of the European Council on Thursday, 20 March in Brussels. The agenda covered Ukraine, European defence, the Middle East, competitiveness, the post-2027 EU budget or multiannual financial framework, migration, oceans policy and multilateralism.

Post European Council Meeting: Statements (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: We can arrange that. In his contribution to today’s debate, the Minister of State for European Affairs, Deputy Byrne, will provide further detail on the multiannual financial framework, MFF, including the question of possible new own resources for the EU budget, as well as further detail on migration, oceans and multilateralism. I will deal with all other issues. I welcomed...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I think it has to be both.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I accept what the Deputy is saying. There is a fundamental issue with the urban landscape, and with high streets in particular. The world has changed and that needs to be taken on board in the modern planning of towns and cities. We need more residential in our towns and cities. I believe there is a future for retail but it will be a different kind of retail than the multi-stores we had...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: What has happened in the past is there was a modification for those terminally ill. I know that is not a great message either in terms of allocation of medical cards. I think Government is sympathetic but then it would have to apply to all. There are different forms of illness, like motor neurone, dementia, chronic cardiovascular disease and others. The principle advanced so far on the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the case. It has been a traumatic experience for the family and that continues to the present day. Will the Deputy send me the details? Generally speaking, in terms of maternal and infant mortality there are issues we need to be constantly vigilant about. There have been a number of cases. I will not say they are ongoing but there is no question but that...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, the Government will update the national development plan. We hope to have that ready by July and roads will be a part of it. We are conscious of the serious congestion issues and delays for people on the N11. We will also be investing in public transport, which is very important for the future sustainability of transport. There will be a parallel approach comprising...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: There are established and well-tried industrial relations procedures to deal with any disputes that arise, particularly in our health service. As I said, there has been a significant increase in healthcare staff in recent years, higher than any comparable period before 2020. For any new health facility, there will be engagement on the staffing arrangements for the new facility. That is...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: I absolutely reject the Deputy's assertions. What has happened with the Order of Business is to keep 30 minutes for Deputies, and to not have it for Questions on Policy or Legislation or to not have it as a second round of Leaders' Questions, which had become the practice for certain Deputies in the House. Questions on Policy or Legislation is much better now, in particular for backbenchers...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: There was a lot of discussion at the Dáil reform committee on the issue. I believe that certain elements of the Opposition did not want this situation to be resolved because it did not suit the agenda, which is to take a wrecking ball to the procedures of Leinster House and Dáil Éireann.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: In the two months of this Government, we have allocated close to an additional €800 million in public funding, much of it to the approved housing bodies. That is what we have done. We will continue to look at ways to provide more housing.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Mar 2025)

Micheál Martin: We came forward with the help to buy scheme and the first home scheme, now called the bridge the gap scheme, which the Deputy opposed. That is helping a lot of first-time buyers. I accept that prices are too high and I accept that until we get more supply, we will not get into a position where we can moderate house prices. We need more supply. That is the key but the supply will have to...