Results 701-720 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: Apologies. Deputy Connolly raised the issue of local area disadvantage. I accept his point that health figures are not as good, by definition, in areas of disadvantage. It is extremely important, both on the education and health fronts. In education, we have a successful DEIS programme. We are now looking at DEIS plus. The Minister was at the Cabinet today signalling a move to DEIS plus...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Ukraine War (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take questions Nos. 13 to 19, inclusive, together. On Thursday, 27 February I met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Shannon Airport during a scheduled stopover on his way to Washington. We had a warm and substantial meeting. We discussed the most recent developments with regard to the situation in Ukraine. I reiterated Ireland's steadfast support for Ukraine and its...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. Deputy Brabazon has consistently raised in the House the issue of how the regulations are currently operating in respect of e-scooters and scrambler bikes. He referenced how some of these new vehicles are being utilised as part of criminal enterprises, particularly the utilisation of young minors in the distribution of drugs. This is a very...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I understand the issues the Deputy and her colleagues have raised in respect of it. It was a shocking situation overall. Deputy Smith raised the issue of reconfiguration of Garda districts. I will talk to the Minister for Justice in respect of the point about the unique policing demands of Border areas requiring specific resourcing. Deputy Ó Murchú supported that. As for...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, together. The Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will oversee the implementation of programme for Government commitments that regard matters under these headings. It was established in February 2025 following the appointment of the new Government in January. The Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: Part of me would say these agencies, the Garda and so on need to get this sorted out. The Government cannot be intervening left, right and centre in every organisation it establishes that has statutory duties and functions. We need to create a culture in this regard. I fully appreciate the Deputy raising this issue and I will talk to both Ministers in respect of this issue. These...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: There are two things. First, many local authorities do a lot of good work in terms of voids. The Deputy has sat on a council. I think all of us have complained over the years where a house, which has been vacated due to tenants leaving for whatever reason, has remained unoccupied for an inordinate length of time. That system has to change. That house should be very quickly reallocated to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: There is a lack of application.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: There is a lack of resource application and a lack of desire, in that it is said it is too cumbersome and too difficult. It is there for a reason. The law is complex but you need to be tenacious and you need to persevere. Third, the Deputy will be glad to know that St. Kevin's Hospital in Cork has been taken over by the LDA-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----and a very good housing scheme is now being developed there.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: Finally, the Deputy is right in one respect and that is why we asked the LDA to acquire some more of these properties from the HSE and others, that is, to get them used for housing.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Government was formed on 22 January. The general election was at the end of November. A number of Opposition people habitually equate the general election date with the formation of Government date. It is a clever ploy but it is not the truth. The Government has only been in office since 22 January. It is a very short while. It might seem like longer to the Deputy but that is how...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----but everyone understands their role, function and purpose. It has been a very effective one. Deputy Thomas Byrne has performed excellently in the role as have his predecessors. The Taoiseach: -----but everyone understands the role, function and purpose of the Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: Likewise, with regard to the Third World, the Minister of State with responsibility for Irish Aid has very clearly delineated functions, policies and initiatives-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----without requiring a dedicated Department.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue in the manner he has done so. I understand fully, as he eloquently articulated in the House some weeks ago, his personal experience of this entire situation in respect of his own child. That is a valuable input into the debate on this issue. I anticipate and expect a report to be published at the end of the week. It is important it is published...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: We keep bandying words about the place, but the expansion of health services in recent years has been exponential. We need to get a sense of perspective in how we describe things. I am not saying there is not challenges but the bottom line is €25 billion is being spent on our health services. The HSE has significant resources. I was involved in setting up the PHECC and so on 20-odd...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: What I am saying is that an additional €8 million was provided in 2025 for new service development in terms of an additional 180 posts. The total staff numbers have risen to 2,407 up to the end of 2024. That is an increase of 25% or 476 extra-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----since the start of 2020. Therefore, we have had close to 500 extra staff over the last number of years. That does not mean we do not need more; we probably do.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 May 2025)

Micheál Martin: Let us not pretend-----