Results 721-740 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Deputies for raising a range of questions. Deputy Bacik first raised the issue of tariffs and Deputy Lawless concluded on that. Fundamentally, a 30% tariff is untenable and unsustainable. It would have to be met with a very strong European Union response if it were to be maintained. That would have the effect of creating a reaction in the markets, in my view, and would...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 11, inclusive, together. The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future, recognises the importance of Cabinet committees to the policy development and oversight work of Government. The Cabinet committee on the European Union and international affairs was established by the Government on 18 February 2025. Its role is to oversee...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I have not seen the economic monitor yet. I would like to see it because there has been there has been significant investment, both public and private, in Waterford - thankfully, because it is a good thing - and in the south east more generally. I will have a look at that. The economy is growing. Unemployment is at 4%, which is more or less equivalent to full employment, so it is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: If the Deputy could send me on the-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Is it "Lies, lies and damned statistics"? I am not saying the Deputy is saying that. That is just a common quote, before I get into more trouble.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: There were many times in Kerry apparently when there were many lock-ins. I would say the Deputy has outdone Leo Varadkar in terms of night life. He is extolling the virtues of going the whole night long.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: In terms of night life. Bí cúramach anois. The big issue is about drinking till 2 a.m. This is the first time it has ever been presented to me in the Dáil that the Deputy wants us to go to 3 a.m.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I have the Minister for justice alongside me. He has heard the Deputy's pleas.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: He has undertaken to go down to Puck Fair. I will see what I can do to attend as well but I may not be around at the time.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, there are regulations in place under the EU legislative framework to regulate safe drone operations. The Irish Aviation Authority, the civil aviation regulator, oversees the implementation of those regulations. I did indicate earlier that work on the drafting of the policy framework was recently finalised. It is expected to be approved and published in the coming weeks.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I know, Deputy, but we either say "No" to drones altogether because-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: We are the most regulated country. Let the policy framework come up, then we can analyse it. The Oireachtas will have an opportunity-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: We should. We can do that but it is about enforcement and catching people. Fundamentally, it is about behavioural change. Cork is not a dirty city.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: The city council and new city administration are working might and mane to try to improve the Dublin situation in terms of cleanliness. It has improved significantly. However, the IBAL organisation has done fantastic work in highlighting all of this. Certainly, I would be open to proactive measures to dissuade people from littering. Where they litter away, without any regard for other...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: If we are honest, and rightly so, successive governments in the past had to introduce drink driving laws and all of that, all of which reduced capacity for people to get to the pub at night. There are lots of factors and behaviour has changed as well.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I would recommend a good, long-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I will not, so, or I will get into trouble.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: First, I thank the Deputy for his comment. I think it is a very fair point in terms of the need for a forward planning unit in the Department of children. There is one now to identify the gaps and the needs of a growing population for childcare services. It will be resourced. It has been a success and impactful in the Department of education relative to the situation prior to that, when...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this. It is an issue, and as newer technologies emerge, we are getting more crowded road space again. Just as we have begun to segregate cycling and walking from motor transport, we now find that some of those routes are crowded out by e-scooters and e-bikes, which are fantastic for people who may not be as fit as others for getting up a hill and so on. There...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Which one?