Results 10,981-11,000 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I knew there were six. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle said six..

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I wanted to end in paradise. The issue related to business schemes and SMEs in small towns. We are very conscious of that. We did not bring people through Covid with a view to having people in trouble. The temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS, to help businesses with energy costs will be introduced before the end of the year. We need to see how that lands and what the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy for raising this issue. I will certainly pursue it and will ask the Minister to do so. It would be very regrettable if an organisation that receives substantial funding from the State would renege on a WRC agreement, which seems to have materialised here, and it is an agreement reached some years back in respect of redundancy. I will certainly follow that up.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: We will be as broadly supportive but, as ever, we endeavour to try to shape directives as well. Every country is involved in negotiations and in the shaping of any directive that comes forward. Sometimes that gets misinterpreted but I will follow up on this matter for the Deputy and will bring further clarity on it for him.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and it is a very important one. Very serious issues arise from the use of the e-scooters and the safety of all concerned.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: This is the case everywhere, and wherever they are used, issues arise. I am simply saying that the Bill is in the Seanad, where amendments have been tabled which will then go to the Parliamentary Counsel. It looks like the Bill will then come back to the Dáil, given that amendments are being tabled in the Seanad. We will all try to work collectively to see if we can get this through...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Can the Deputy tell me-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Is it that they will not pay him the VAT?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, I commend to Deputy's commitment to electric vehicles. I thank him for raising the issue. I will talk to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ryan, in terms of the working out of this. What the Deputy said makes sense. I will follow through on it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will come back to the Deputy on it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is an average cut of 25%. It is €121 million this year. We want to increase it again next year and do better. Overall, it is €259 million this year in core funding. Again, if the Deputy has specific issues, I invite her to take them up with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as well. We are getting some concerns articulated by some...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: As a basic principle, I think teachers and special needs resources should stay in special needs.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: They should. I am just saying what is my basic principle.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Every child is entitled to a pupil-teacher ratio irrespective of whether he or she is a mainstream or special needs pupil, and resources should always be ring-fenced for special needs students. That is a principle to which I have always held strongly ever since I brought in special classes in 1998, SNAs and so on. On the broader question, there is an issue with supply in certain areas,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The union representing the workers is very clear.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The union representing the workers has been very clear that this is something it welcomes on behalf of the 20,000 workers it represents.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I am not spinning it. The Deputy just wants to grab a headline.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I accept that; I am just responding to the points that were made by the Deputy. The matter to which Deputy Boyd Barrett referred has been raised previously.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: There is no time for statements. The bottom line is that it is coming forward. It will be increased by €5,000. There is a look-back facility.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: We will see if we can or not, through the Business Committee, but there is limited time for a whole lot of things.