Results 21-40 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising what is a very important issue. I recognise that this medication is particularly important for those with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast cancer, who cannot take hormone replacement therapy due to the risk of cancer recurrence. I understand the real difference that this medication can make to a person's quality of life. In...

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: First of all, Ireland's whistleblower protection framework is governed by the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. There are set frameworks - legal and so on - in terms of governing the handling and management of protected disclosures. That Act was significantly strengthened by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022. This legislation commenced operation on 1 January 2023. It gives...

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----provide for a statutory review of the Act to be commenced not later than five years from the date of the Act. That review is due to commence in 2027-----

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----and a public consultation will be carried out prior to this review.

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: Two things. First of all, in terms of Covid-19, the Government has established an evaluation of the management of and the State response to Covid-19-----

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----which was an unprecedented public health event across the world that had the most significant and severe impacts on societies and on people. The more fundamental objective has always been to try to protect and save lives. People acted in very good faith to do that. I just want to make that point. What we are reluctant to do is add a new layer now because this will go on forever....

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: The last thing we want is more and more public inquiries, including statutory-based public inquiries, which can go on for years. That is not satisfactory either.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I think the Minister for Finance announced this quite some time back. It is part of a regular review of the LPT. The Minister has worked extremely hard to make sure that any increases will be modest, particularly in terms of the valuations and so on. He did that a number of years ago and effectively managed it. Remember that the revenue goes to improving and enhancing services that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, we are talking about 430,000 urgent and emergency calls in 2024. That is the scale of this issue. It is a 32,000-calls increase, or an 8% increase, on 2023. The Deputy has done the statistics. Performance is improving with 72.5% in 2023 to 73.2%. against a 75% target for life-threatening cardiac or respiratory arrest. We have to look at alternative care pathways as well. The...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I welcome all those who have come from Limerick and from the Greybridge vintage club. I mention vintage clubs all over the country, which do a lot of charity. We all have experienced that in summer festivals or whatever. They bring a bit of excitement, colour and novelty to events and, in the process, raise significant funding. We thank them for that and the work they do. I will not be...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: That is my commitment. I am not going to dive into the ocean with a tractor. It is wonderful and reflects the very strong value of community in the country. I acknowledge that. In the context of the cost-of-living crisis, the Government has taken a lot of measures that I outlined in response to an earlier question, particularly in terms of supporting families and increasing the child...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I am coming to it. The Deputy did mention the cost of living. Just as he dealt with the question, I will reply to him in like fashion. What we did in the budget in raising public expenditure was to invest in services that matter to people, so we prioritised disability, child poverty and infrastructure for more roads, rail, buses, schools and healthcare facilities across the board. That...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I would just make the point-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I have just answered it - with the laws that are in place. The law is the law.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: That is it. I admire the Deputy's commitment to vintage clubs, men's sheds and women's sheds. I have had a spin in Jack Lynch's car myself. We have enjoyed all of that. The juxtaposition of vintage clubs, men's sheds and women's sheds with the presidency and the rules that apply perplexes me-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----but it is a very novel way to come around the subject matter. The law is the law. People are entitled to vote in whatever way they wish and if that means deposits or whatever are returned, so be it. I do not think people vote on that basis.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I do not preach, but I do practice. In carrying out my duties as Taoiseach or as a public representative and in all of my life, I do so by means of actions and practice. These speak much louder than words or preaching. I take exception to the Deputy's suggestion-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----that I should practice what I preach. I will outline my position on this. In everything I do as a public representative, I will embrace all people, whether it is in connection with a school, a community or whatever. I will go out of my way to do that; it is the right thing to do. I do not expect any credit or anything like that. It is the natural thing we should do, and that is what...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: Could I please just make a very important point? If we keep drawing hard lines, we are giving ground to the people who did what they did last night. There are people in this House who may not share our perspective entirely on this. It is important that we hear those voices-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: ----- and then address the issues by means of a fact-based and evidence-based approach. If you keep-----