Results 8,661-8,680 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Through the Chair, the context is very important because there is a huge difference between €5 billion or €6 billion and €17 billion of expenditure, which is what the Social Democrats are proposing. The credibility of that needs examination. I accept that Deputy Whitmore's party is proposing tax hikes of €1 billion to pay for this, and a new tax rate of 43%....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: That is an outrageous assertion to make to say that the needs of children have been forgotten by this Government. It does not stack up at all across the full range of measures that we have taken in the last three budgets in respect of childcare more generally but also in terms of support of maternal care leave and so on. We have introduced a whole range of measures. It is not a credible-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Through the Chair, I do not believe the assertion the Deputy just made is a fair or credible one.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: It defies any realistic understanding. In respect of childcare costs, over the last two years we have met our commitments.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: The more significant commitment is improving the status, pay and conditions of workers, in conjunction with the social partners in terms of a new JLC framework for people working in the childcare sector, which gives sustainability and continuity to the childcare sector in terms of a career pathway. That is key and crucial. In terms of the reduction in childcare costs, parents did feel the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: First, I appreciate the Deputy's raising of this issue. I am very well aware of the historical nature of this, particularly in the context of the differentials between public service employees following the restoration of the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, cuts and those who are working in section 39 organisations who did not get the same level of restoration....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: -----in respect of future pay agreements. That has to be in an overall context because the trend that has occurred over the last decade has been that the public service pay agreement is first settled and then we enter into discussions with the section 39 organisations. It is my view that the overall framework has to be sustainable into the future for these organisations, because they are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Naval Service (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Senator for raising this issue in respect of recruitment and retention plans for the Naval Service. I acknowledge and pay tribute to the joint task force on its work last week in successfully detaining the cargo vessel MV Matthew, working with the Revenue Commissioners, the Customs and Excise and An Garda, which has overall responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Naval Service (5 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Those two new vessels are further evidence of the Government's commitment to investment in the Naval Service and in capacity and capability more generally across the Defence Forces. The C295s that have been ordered, one of which has come in, give a far greater maritime surveillance capacity to the Air Corps as well as a potential strategic airlift capacity. The investments are in train....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (4 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Ireland’s Strategy for the US and Canada 2019-2025 commits us to building strong, strategic political partnerships with Canada. High level visits to Canada are a key aspect of delivering on that commitment. The 2023 St Patrick’s Day programme saw Minister Michael McGrath, Minister Stephen Donnelly and Minister Simon Harris visit various cities in Canada. In July 2023,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 to 48, inclusive, together. Ireland has consistently advocated that there is no conflict between countering terrorism and respecting human rights, and that States must ensure that any measures taken to counter terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee, and humanitarian law....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Child Abduction (4 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been in regular contact with the Irish citizen in this case and is continuing to provide consular assistance and guidance. I can appreciate that the circumstances of this case are difficult for all concerned. The Embassy of Ireland has engaged with the relevant Ministry of Justice on the matter and has provided advice to the citizen accordingly. The citizen and their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Proposed Legislation (4 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: On 29 July 2016, my Department published on its official website the General Scheme of the Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. The Bill received pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence on 10 November 2016. The Bill was enacted on 13 December 2017.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (4 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service requested further documents for the application on 26 September 2023. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (4 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capacity of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Proposed Legislation (4 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: Since 2016 there have been 2 general schemes referred by my Department for pre-legislative scrutiny. The following table shows the information requested by the Deputy. General Scheme Date General Scheme published for public review Date referred for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny General Scheme for the Defence (Amendment) Bill 25 September 2018 ...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Foreign Conflicts (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Our priority is and will remain the safety of the local population and the humanitarian situation on the ground. Our focus right now is on doing that as best we can. We call for full compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law. The issues the Deputy raised in terms of the protection of civilians are still open to countries to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I agree with Deputy Moynihan. Haulbowline is complete and I visited it recently. It has very fine accommodation and there will be further developments there also. For the information of the Deputies, at present there are approximately 4,509 military accommodation bed spaces for Defence Forces personnel throughout the country. This is a significant number. It is used predominantly for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: The military authorities have advised that, as of 31 August 2023, 6,844 initial applications had been made to join the Permanent Defence Force across all competitions, of which 858 were from female applicants. Of these applications, 6,081 were deemed eligible applications. A total of 244 personnel have been inducted as of the same date, of whom 18 are female. In addition to ineligible...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Foreign Conflicts (3 Oct 2023)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains a matter of the gravest concern, particularly in light of the fallout from the military action initiated by Azerbaijan in the region on 19 September. Ensuring the welfare and protection of civilians who remain there, as well as of those who have fled to Armenia, including through the...