Results 7,061-7,080 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: Is the Deputy talking about disability reforms in respect of payments?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: More broadly, I take issue with some of the language the Deputy used. I know he speaks in good faith, but there is no agenda on this side of the House to demonise any person with special needs or a disability or, indeed, to divide the disability community. I wish to make this very clear. The State has more to do in respect of providing for disability services and for people's special...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: There is a Green Paper on disability reform, but no decisions have been made in this respect.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: Consultation is ongoing with the stakeholders.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: Regarding these two things, in terms of the cost of disability, the report has been published, as I said. The Department of Social Protection has taken actions to improve employment supports for people with disabilities. Additionally, the earnings disregard for those receiving disability allowance and the blind pension has increased several times in recent years. A lot of action has been...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the Deputy raising the issue. Yesterday's drugs seizure and the operation over the last number of days reveals more than anything that there is no soft-touch approach in respect of crime in this country and particularly in respect of drug trafficking cartels. What we witnessed were very high standards and very high professionalism being demonstrated by An Garda Síochána,...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I am very clear that we need the restoration of the Executive and the Assembly as quickly as possible, in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland and as a validation of democracy. In any normal society or situation, when people go to the ballot box and vote in an election, it is followed by the convening of a parliament and the formation of a government. We have made our...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: We have discussed with other European member states the prospect of recognising a Palestinian state. There is an argument for endeavouring to get critical mass to have impact. There is also a timing issue. There is a judgment call in terms of whether it advances the situation in respect of the rights and quality of life of Palestinians in real terms.

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: It is an issue we keep under constant review at Government level. I fully understand where the Deputy is coming from in respect of the question and the manner in which he has tabled it. Coming back from the visit, there is deep concern across the region now as to how this situation is developing in a negative trajectory. It is very worrying and quite depressing in respect of the...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 26 together. I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for tabling his question. It is deeply disappointing that almost 18 months on from the last assembly elections, Northern Ireland's political institutions remain blocked, and as a result the North-South Ministerial Council is also prevented from fulfilling the responsibilities mandated to it by the Good...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: First of all, there has been much speculation as to timings and approaches. To be honest, the Windsor agreement was a genuine response to the issues unionism raised in respect of the operation of the protocol. In my view, some of the issues that were resolved through the Windsor Framework were issues that unionism legitimately raised. Indeed, other parties in the North were quite okay with...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I have outlined to the House the steps that I intend to take in relation to this. The only person attempting to shatter the unity of purpose in this House is the Deputy himself in the language he has chosen to use and with the assertions he has made around the bona fides of the Irish Government. We have been very committed. I belong to a political party that did its fair share in achieving...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: We managed to persuade people like your good self not to endorse violence on a continuous basis and which caused so much damage, destruction and loss of life. The Deputy asked for unity of purpose. I have outlined it to the House. I understand where people are coming from here. I have made it very clear to the British Government that we reject the unilateral approach in respect to the...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: We do not operate or run the British Government or the British parliamentary system-----

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----that is a process in itself. We have raised this at international level with considerable impact and effect, as I outlined earlier in replies to Deputy Carthy and others.

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: I could give the Deputy the verbal version but in short, I met with the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, in Ramallah as part of my visit to the occupied Palestinian territory. During my meeting with the President, we discussed a number of issues including possible future elections in the occupied Palestinian territory, international recognition, our strong...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: President Abbas's response was that because the Israeli Government refuses to facilitate the holding of elections in East Jerusalem - which is a critical issue for the Palestinian National Authority - they therefore cannot proceed with elections. He referenced the current level of aggression within the occupied territories. Fundamentally it rests on East Jerusalem being enabled to be part...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Official Engagements (28 Sep 2023)

Micheál Martin: There are two points to make. First, on climate finance, we have given a commitment that by 2025, we will be making an annual contribution of €225 million, which was a commitment I gave at COP26. The target is to reach that sum within that timeline. As a country, we have given a commitment. The Government formally took a decision on it. We need to see it realised. On the...