Results 10,021-10,040 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government has established 11 Cabinet Committees as set out in the table below. The membership of each Committee and the date of the most recent meeting is also listed. Cabinet Committees are established by the Government to assist it in carrying out the responsibilities of Government in the areas indicated by their titles. They meet as appropriate according to their work schedules. Other...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Citizens' Assembly (22 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government commits to establishing four Citizens’ Assemblies, on the topics of Biodiversity Loss, the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin, Drug Use and the Future of Education. The Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss and the Dublin Local Government Citizens’ Assembly, established in February 2022,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: All the questions are about the implementation of the high-level action plan in respect of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which is a broader issue and is going at pace. In respect of the Women of Honour issue, I have met with both groups and we are waiting for the conclusion of the review. It was important to do that review and then to take further action depending on its...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, I am very disturbed by what he has said. He effectively justified Putin's decision in sanctioning my good self and others. He said it is a worrying sign in terms of Ireland's reputation as a neutral country.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is not.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: By Putin. We are seen by Putin as a protagonist and the Deputy is sort of saying he is right, that the Taoiseach should be worried because Putin sanctioned me. I do not understand where he is coming from, genuinely. He added on that dangerous line about endangering the Irish Defence Forces because Putin is a bully and is trying to intimidate people.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should withdraw any implication or suggestion that Putin's sanctioning the Taoiseach of the day in this country is somehow confirmation that Ireland is not neutral.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: We are militarily neutral. We are not protagonists in this war. We have welcomed Ukrainian refugees into this country.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: We have allocated humanitarian aid to Ukraine. We have worked with our colleagues in the European Union. We are part of the European Union, a political bloc which values liberal democracies and has no truck with and does not believe----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Europe is the biggest donor to Palestine. That is the Deputy's classic line on this. That is why I doubt his commitment totally. It is all whataboutery with Deputy Boyd Barrett. Of course we condemn it, he says, and then he moves on. I always note his emphasis and where he focuses.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is always predominantly against Europe and the West, and less so, frankly, against Russia. He throws out the one line about Russia and moves quickly on.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: That has been the hallmark of all of his contributions in this crisis. I take issue with what he has said in respect of Putin's sanctioning of my good self as somehow confirmation that we are perceived no longer to be neutral. That is an outrageous assertion. We are militarily neutral. We are not members of any alliance.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Defence Forces (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: We are taking sides on behalf of a country that has been invaded on the basis of an imperialist 19th century view that Ukraine has no right to exist. The Deputy is saying we are taking sides. Absolutely, we are supporting Ukraine in its right to its territorial integrity and sovereignty and the rights of the Ukrainian people to a decent life, not to be bombed every single day by a despot.

Post-European Council: Statements (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I attended a meeting of the European Council on Thursday, 20 October and Friday, 21 October in Brussels. The agenda covered Ukraine, energy, economic issues and external relations. In his contribution this afternoon, the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, will address a number of the external relations agenda items, including the forthcoming EU-Association of Southeast Asian Nations...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Sustainable Development Goals (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I did not-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Sustainable Development Goals (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: They are now standard practice and the Deputy knows that.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Sustainable Development Goals (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I am answering Deputy Boyd Barrett.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Sustainable Development Goals (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is not nonsense.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Sustainable Development Goals (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry, Deputy; you have a view. You are anti-trade and anti-enterprise. That is your position. Deputy Boyd Barrett made his comments in terms of his preferred trade and trade that is of mutual interest. We never hear ringing declarations, however. Let us be honest. Deputy Paul Murphy should be honest. His political philosophy does not believe in a capitalist system.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Sustainable Development Goals (16 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I believe in a social democratic system-----