Results 4,721-4,740 of 49,984 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his comments. We spoke earlier about the inspirational legacy that young Saoírse leaves behind. Our sympathies are with Saoírse's family. Since we started national cancer strategies in the late 1990s and through the 2000s, with various levels of progress being made, there has been a transformation in cancer care which has led to a significant reduction in...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: We exceeded our targets for housebuilding last year, with close to 33,000 being built in 2023. Up to 143,000 houses have been constructed since we came to office.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: There was a record 10,000 social houses in 2022. Last year, we delivered 12,000 social houses. We are now getting to a stage-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Social. Please let me finish. In the context of the first home scheme and help-to-buy scheme, we have reached the stage of record levels in the drawdown of mortgages by first-time buyers. We have to do more because the population is increasing. We are working extremely hard-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----with a variety of measures to increase affordability and enable young people to afford a house.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: We know we are not there yet and a lot more needs to be done.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: There is no doubt there has been a significant change in the three years post Covid-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----and taking Covid into account.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will come back to the Deputies generally when that progresses somewhere, but it is being actively pursued by the Irish Government with the Jordanian Government. I met with the King when I was in Jordan recently. He and the Jordanian Government are very appreciative of the role Ireland has taken internationally at the various forums, particularly within the European Union. In response...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising these issues. More generally, food production is essential. In the context of climate change, the resilience of our food production system and food security are absolutely essential. Rather than undermining our food production system, we will increase it. Tá géarghá ann an córas a threisiú agus a dhéanamh níos láidre....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: My words are not empty, Deputy. I believe in substance on this issue and not words. I have heard many words in this House and across its foor about substance and impact. I believe Ireland can have impact, small and all as we are, and we are having impact. We are one of the few countries which have already made a robust legal submission to the International Court of Justice in respect of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am telling the Deputy that I believe the best and optimal time is following the publication of the Arab peace initiative and in the developing of a political track whereby a number of European countries together could, on the back of that and in tandem with that act-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----which is far more effective. This idea of the Deputy trying to score points or suggesting that she is more virtuous than everybody else in the House on this question is an approach we need to dispense with. We all want this to end but I genuinely believe Ireland can and is having an impact and we are using every possible forum - diplomatic, legal and political - to end this.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: Firstly, I agree with much of what Deputy Berry has said. By way of quick reply, we are actively exploring the possibility of Ireland contributing to this multinational effort and Jordan, in particular, has been leading this in organising air-drops. I spoke to Foreign Minister Safadi on this a week or two ago and I specifically asked questions on this. We speak a great deal on other...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I do not accept that. At the outset, the Deputy said that there was no new money this year; there was. Some €30 million has been made available. He said nothing had changed since the Government came in.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: In fact, €98 million of new money has been provided since this Government came in for new medicines. I refer to 148 new medicines in the past three years, as well as 39 new drugs or new uses of existing drugs with an orphan designation. By orphan, we mean drugs for rare diseases and they are termed orphan drugs because of that. We spend €3 billion a year on medicines. That...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: In the last three years there have been about 61 new drugs or new uses of existing drugs for use in oncology alone for cancer patients. It is a very rapidly moving area, particularly in terms of immunotherapy drugs and so on. The funding has gone up exponentially over time. We need a system to evaluate this and make sure we get best value for money. In principle, I am disposed to getting...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: The most important point is that Ireland has not lost its moral compass on this issue. I think we should agree on that in this House. The situation in Gaza is absolutely catastrophic. I agree with Josep Borrell, the EU vice president and head of European foreign policy, when he said people should stop sending arms if they want an end to the conflict. Other countries should stop sending...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: I also take the opportunity to offer my deepest condolences to the family of Saoírse Ruane, her parents, Ollie and Roseanna, her sisters and all who knew and loved her. I was fortunate enough to meet Saoírse at Croke Park some years ago. I was very much struck by her radiant smile, her warm personality and her love of sports, including Gaelic games. Saoírse inspired so many...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2024)

Micheál Martin: As a representative of the Irish Government, we do not interfere in the political deliberations within the United States. There is a general election. It is democracy. People will make their choice. We have appreciated President Biden's transatlantic reach and the transformation in that relationship over the last number of years, the commitment to climate change and also the general...