Results 6,361-6,380 of 51,299 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: In terms of the licence fee, Sinn Féin's alternative budget for last year, which was published only four months ago, did not mention, let alone budget for, its plan to scrap the licence fee.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: You did not.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: It would cost in excess of €150 million.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The other point I will make is that the other fundamental problem with the amnesty proposal is that for the hundreds and thousands of people who paid the licence fee down through the years, it is an incredible insult. "Fools you were to pay" is what Sinn Féin is saying to them. What does that mean for other bills that people pay? What Sinn Féin is saying to people is, "Don't...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: That is what Sinn Féin is saying.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: "We will look after you at the end of the day." That is what Sinn Féin is saying. It is saying it does not have to provide for it in alternative budgets.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: For those who have paid their licence fees over the years, that was an incredible slap in the face. The Deputy has basically-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I wish to say finally that what Sinn Féin has basically said to the Irish people is, "Why bother to pay any bill?".

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy on almost everything she has said. Her point about bogus self-employment contracts is valid. She has consistently raised the matter and it is a very serious issue. A significant and comprehensive investigation is under way. The Department of Social Protection commenced that investigation into the PRSI classification of RTÉ contractors. RTÉ provided the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: RTÉ is funded by a combination of the licence fee, taxpayers' money and advertising revenue. Essentially, the RTÉ licence money is the public's money. Where public money forms the bulk of any organisation's revenue, there should be full transparency and accountability to the public. What has happened is unacceptable. There should be no secrecy in respect of any package which any...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Yes, hands off. Government can never interfere with a public service broadcaster. There has always been a hands-off and an arm's-length approach. I can remember as a young student when people accused governments of the day of interfering too much in RTÉ in terms of editorial control or saying that RTÉ should not publish this or should not criticise that. That was an earlier...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: During my last visit to the West Bank, my planned programme included a visit to the community of Ein Samiya, a part of Area C where settlers has recently demolished a school. Israel, which has full civil and security control in Area C, did not facilitate my proposed visit. I have previously made statements on this matter in answers to Parliamentary questions. The denial of permission was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: The Habitual Residence Condition is a social welfare condition that a person must satisfy to receive a social assistance payment. A person who is subject to a deportation order is considered not to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition as they do not have an unqualified legal right of residence in the State. As such they are ineligible for social assistance payments. My department...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Ireland strongly condemns the coup carried out by the Myanmar military in February 2021, and attempts by the junta to consolidate and legitimise the military regime. I remain deeply concerned by the widespread violence, the high levels of displacement, and the dire humanitarian and human rights situation, which have had a particular impact on the Rohingya population. Ireland remains...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Where there are identified shortfalls in the provision of medical care to the Permanent Defence Force, a range of measures to ensure continuity of service are employed including outsourcing, contracted professionals, and agency workers. I am informed by the military authorities that there are no contractual arrangements between the Defence Forces and individual agency nurses and all such...

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: No one has done more than this Government in terms of funding North-South infrastructure.

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Carthy could acknowledge that at least.

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Carthy addressed me. I am sorry. I apologise, a Cheann Comhairle.

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Carthy brought me into the conversation.

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Micheál Martin: Tapóidh mé an deis seo chun cúrsaí Thuaisceart na hÉireann a phlé. Cuirim fáilte roimh filleadh na n-institiúidí agus guím gach rath ar gach éinne a bheidh páirteach iontu sna blianta amach romhainn. Two weeks ago, on 1 February, we celebrated St. Brigid's Day, long recognised in Ireland as signalling the beginning of spring. As...