Results 81-100 of 51,741 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----that we should have a one-off package this year, a one-off package next year and so on. We just cannot continue to do that. Deputy O’Rourke raised an important issue. The qualifications issue pertains to some of the regulatory bodies in specific areas, namely the Medical Council, the Teaching Council – it may not like me saying this but I think it can be quite...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry, Deputy Conway-Walsh. I was just saying that renewable energy is the key and the green transition is the key. I accept her point. One of the issues we have is the over-reliance on fossil fuel important on a number of fronts. Energy security is the key one, by the way. Everybody here is complaining about the decision to have a LNG facility. It would be utterly irresponsible if...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 24, 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 EU and international affairs was established by the Government on 15 February 2025. Its role is to oversee implementation of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Deputies who contributed. Deputy Malcolm Byrne was first out of the traps about the 11% of recommendations, which is quite low, implemented from the Draghi report. Ireland is already identifying the Single Market and some of the reforms in the Draghi and Letta reports for our Presidency of the European Union in the latter half of next year. We would like to see an...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I said that there would be a policy of prioritisation. We are working with Ireland's Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA, and indeed with others towards that end because some significant projects need to be progressed in the interests of the common good be it energy, water, particularly offshore wind and so forth.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy. It is good to see Deputy Heneghan back safe and sound. Well done on your efforts.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness last met on 14 July and the next meeting is scheduled for 27 November. The membership comprises the Taoiseach; Tánaiste; Minister for Finance; Minister Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; Minister for Climate,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: It is the Minister for Transport from an airport perspective, but if the local authority is engaging and is facilitative, it may not require its line Minister to approve it also. It probably does not. The new injection of private capital is a very significant development. I will talk to the Minister for Transport in respect of it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: That speaks to the point I have been making all afternoon. The need for grid resilience is enormous. The expenditure will be enormous. There are huge costs on the taxpayer for the expansion of the grid. I will talk to the Minister in respect of the specifics regarding the towns in north Kildare the Deputy outlined. That is perhaps a manifestation of the challenges we face with the growth...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: There are three significant schemes: the help-to-buy scheme, which is a substantial help; the first homes schemes, which is where the State injects a degree of equity and; third, the derelict and vacant homes grant, which is quite substantial and has enabled about 3,000 houses to become available, whereby people have refurbished such houses and got a substantial grant for doing so....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: Tá an-infheistíocht ag dul isteach sna scoileanna, agus ní hamháin sna scoileanna speisialta agus na ranganna speisialta. Tá scoileanna i gcoitinne i gceist freisin. Tá an-infheistíocht ar fad ann. Déanfaidh mé fiosrú leis an Aire maidir leis an scoil seo. Níl an t-eolas agam go mion faoi cad atá ar siúl idir an scoil agus...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising an important issue for her constituent, and more generally, as it could affect other people. I will ask the HSE and the Minister for Health to investigate the matter and to provide a note on it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: We would need to have a much broader outlook than that. We cannot make decisions on this on the hoof. I understand where the Deputy is coming from but, on the other hand, we have developed a model of childcare over two decades which involves either community provision, private sector provision, or some State provision. The State has tended to support access through grants and the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: Career pathways need to be better in terms of remuneration and future prospects.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: Internationally, we have been to the fore in advancing the rights of the LGBTQI community, in particular at European Union level. Some member states are beginning to resile in respect of rights for the LGBTQI community. The law is the law in Ireland insofar as we can control that. I will certainly discuss the potential of what was outlined with the Attorney General but I surmise that we...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: I met the group last Friday week. I asked them in to Government Buildings and we met in the Taoiseach's offices and had a lengthy discussion. Deputy Murphy knows the history. I established the inquiry into the industrial schools. That was followed by a comprehensive redress scheme and other measures that were taken. We are willing to engage and I have asked my officials to look at all...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: No, it is not.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: We have the eighth-highest cost - and it is too high - of energy across the EU 27 when taken in the context of purchasing power parity. That is the situation. We have a very dispersed energy system. We have to invest very significantly in the grid over the coming years. We will have to triple the investment in our energy grid over the next number of years-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----and we have grown exponentially.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Oct 2025)

Micheál Martin: There is a European framework. Gas is the price-setter.