Results 6,261-6,280 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: In terms of homelessness, the tenant in situ scheme has been very effective in preventing children and families going into homelessness. There are many factors underpinning homelessness in the country and not all were articulated by the Deputy. The Government is focused on the issue. We are now building at a rate that has not been seen for quite a long time, particularly in respect of the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The tenant in situscheme has been far more effective.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: That would exacerbate the problem. That is one part of it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The way to deal with issues of vacancy and dereliction is through action. The most effective action has been the grants programme for vacant or derelict houses, which provides grants of €50,000 and €70,000. There is considerable interest in those grants. That, to me, is action and substance in terms of the issue of dereliction. We will work with local authorities to ensure...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I can, actually. On timing, discussions with other member states are very real. We must do it in a substantiate way in the context of a process emerging from this. There is an opportunity. It is not just right now, today or tomorrow, but there is an opportunity to do it with others and as part of a broader roadmap. We need to use it effectively to get a roadmap in place to lead to peace...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I happen to think the European Union is a completely different entity from Russia, particularly in terms of the European Union's commitment-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy made a comment about us cosying up to the EU.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I will answer your question if you will allow me, through the Chair. I want to make this fundamental point. There is a hell of a difference between the European Union and Russia. The Deputy equated them. In my comments earlier, I mentioned the United States. It is one of the veto powers. I said that in my speech yesterday. I instanced the paralysis-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I instanced the paralysis of the Security Council in terms of getting anything done at UN security level.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I did so in my contribution yesterday. It is one of the reasons for this suggestion and proposal. I will come back to the House with proposed amendments to the legislation that governs the triple lock. It is about bringing back a degree of independence to Irish foreign policy, restoring a degree of sovereignty and decision-making in respect of our troops and not having any of the permanent...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----in a position to veto what we might like to do in the western Balkans or in the Middle East.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: It will be some time next year. It will not be before Christmas as there are only a few weeks left before the recess. When the time is right, we can certainly arrange briefings of Deputies by our officials.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is my understanding that University Hospital Limerick has the largest capital investment programme at the moment in terms of new projects that are in the pipeline. The Minister has indicated that to me. Much of that has to happen. As the Deputy knows, work on the new €90 million project, consisting of a 96-bed inpatient block and renal dialysis unit, commenced in October 2022....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I do not disagree with the Deputy in terms of alternatives. Sporting injuries, unless they are very serious, should not automatically end up in the emergency department of UHL.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: in County Cork, the Gurranabraher centre injury unit has become a phenomenal service.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I know, but there are injury units in the mid-west and they are going to be expanded. The Deputy is right. To me, that is elementary and should be pursued. There is also the alternative pre-hospital pathway that has been developed since September of this year between the UL Hospitals Group and the National Ambulance Service, which will see definitive care provided in the community to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: I was 12 years of age in 1972, when the referendum on joining the European community took place. Parties across here opposed it at the time. There were groups, which are still at it today, arguing that if we joined what is now the European Union, we would have NATO troops and nuclear warheads parading down O'Connell Street within a few weeks. This is what was said as far back as 1972 and I...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: Because of their geopolitical ambition and agenda, they do not want peacekeeping missions around the world any more. We know where the world is today. It took six weeks-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: The alternative is we stay consistent to fundamental human rights and the UN Charter. The UN Charter mentions regional actors; the EU or the African Union are bona fide actors. We should not just react-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----in a knee-jerk way to what I proposed yesterday in terms of amendments. We should have reasonable debate but there seems to be an inability in this House to have a reasonable debate about these matters and false hares get sent up the field.