Results 21-40 of 46,414 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The current situation in Georgia is of grave concern. The adoption of legislation on the “transparency of foreign influence” by the Georgian parliament, in the face of strong international criticism, and the disproportionate use of force against those protesting the legislation, are not in line with core EU values and norms. Events in Georgia were discussed at the Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Following his appointment as Welsh First Minister, I had a phonecall with Vaughan Gething on 18 April to congratulate him on his appointment. During the call, we focused on the importance of relations between Ireland and Wales, and how we can work together to further strengthen the relationship. We underscored the importance of our cooperation under the Ireland Wales Shared Statement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I continue to prioritise regular engagement with a wide range of UK political figures, in government and in opposition, as we further our work to strengthen British-Irish relations in a post-Brexit context. I was in London on 29 April to co-chair a meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) alongside the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: On 25 July 2023, Ireland submitted a written statement to the International Court of Justice in its Advisory Opinion case 'Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem'. Ireland also participated in the public hearings in this case, with the Attorney General making an oral statement to the Court on behalf...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I understand the Deputy's Question relates to Boeing C-17 Globemasters. I am advised that this aircraft has landed and been parked in the Aerodrome, as the aircraft operators have opted to park overnight on the runway at Casement Aerodrome. I am satisfied that the existing infrastructure provision at Baldonnel is sufficient to enable the Air Corps carry out its current training and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Naval Service does not have the capacity to dock a vessel of 609 m in length. The largest vessels in the current fleet of Naval Service ships are the P60 class of vessels, which measure 90 metres in length. My officials are not aware of a Vessel of the length referenced by the Deputy, to illustrate the largest Naval ship in the world at the moment is understood to the USS Gerald Ford...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The table below contains the requested breakdown of personnel by rank for the Naval Service and Air Corps, as of the 31 December 2023 and the 30 April 2024 (the latest date for which such figures are available). - Strength as at 31 December 2023 Strength as at 31 December 2023 Strength as at 30 April 2024 Strength as at 30 April 2024 ...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I take the Deputy's point and his concerns in regard to the rising cost of house insurance. The Government has implemented a whole suite of reforms in relation to the insurance industry which is reducing the costs and the scale of rewards. It is time the insurance industry responded with keener pricing and reductions in some of the premia. We also need more competition in the market. Even...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Cahill for raising the issue. I am aware that he has been very focused on raising this issue on a consistent basis and I am glad that progress has been achieved as a result of his advocacy in respect to the VAT rebate question for those in agriculture, and farming in particular. I will again speak to the Minister for Finance to ensure the meetings happen with the Revenue...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I will talk to the Minister for Health. I obviously do not have the specific details of the individual organisation but psychotherapy, and even the title It's Good 2 Talk, reflects well. I do not know the specifics as to why the HSE was not in a position to fund the organisation this year. However, I will raise the matter with the Minister.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: Sinn Féin is all over the place these days. Some 38,000 social homes have been added to the social housing stock, up to Q4 of 2023, since this Government came into office.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: I know. Some 12,000 social homes were delivered. Of these, 8,110 were built in 2023, while, yes, others were leased. Why was this? It was because the Deputy, and others, have come into the House and spoken, rightly, about homelessness and everything else. If we did not lease some of these houses, then we would have more homelessness. The Deputy is talking about 25 years' time. I think...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is evidence of us doing everything we possibly can to try to house people-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----who are homeless or are in significant difficulties.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: We will get more houses built.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: For 2024, about €2.7 billion is being spent on special education. This will allow for the opening of 400 new special classes and 300 additional special school places. We had a meeting last week of the Cabinet subcommittee on education and special needs education. The Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State with special responsibility for special education,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: That work is under way.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Government is very committed to expanding Garda numbers all over the country, including in Drogheda. During Covid-19, with the closure of Templemore training college, there was a reduction in the number of gardaí coming through. The most recent Garda recruitment campaign, though, which ran in January and February of this year, has received a very strong response, with over 6,300...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is great to see so many people wanting to join An Garda Síochána, especially among people aged 35 to 50. We are determined to ensure that An Garda Síochána will grow to 15,000 members.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 May 2024)

Micheál Martin: That complement will then enable us to increase the numbers of gardaí in towns like Drogheda. That is the commitment. We are going to increase the number of gardaí but we have to recruit them and get them trained first.