Results 11,041-11,060 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Opposition has decided to deal with only one item. The review recommends the introduction of variable pay of up to €20,000 and for the provision of standard non-pay benefits for all employees in the three banks. There are 20,000 people working in the three retail banks. Why is the Opposition, including Sinn Féin, against ordinary workers in the banking sector from getting a...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Official Engagements (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The most recent formal meeting took place on 15 April 2021 - when I met with the leaders of the all island Christian Churches including the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church and the Irish Council of Churches. We discussed the ongoing contribution to peace building, and the work that Churches undertake on an ongoing basis at community...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: State Bodies (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The information sought is set out in the table below. Chief State Solicitor's Office Counsel Paid Senior Junior Total Year €m No of Counsel €m No of Counsel €m No of Counsel 2012 3.57 121 5.93 265 9.50 386 ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (29 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: My Department has an appointed Access Officer in accordance with the Disability Act 2005 and publishes details about the Access Officer on the Department’s website (gov.ie). The role of the Access Officer in my Department is to act as a point of contact and is responsible for providing, or arranging, assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities who wish to access services...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank both Deputies for raising a range of issues. Deputy Ó Murchú asked about the mood music relating to a deal. The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, was very clear that he wanted a negotiated settlement and outcome. There are issues the British Government feels need to be resolved. I was satisfied coming out of those meetings and we both agreed we would remain seized of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is entitled to that position but I need to point out the consequence of what he is suggesting would be quite damaging to jobs in Ireland. Many workers would lose their jobs because many people would not invest in such a climate or such an environment. I am making a fair point because it would create a degree of uncertainty.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: As I have said, the advice we have received so far is it can be resolved through legislation. Decisions have been taken at European court level on dilution of the investor courts and so on, but I will read the judgments. We will give this assessment and examine that. Deputy Barry raised the issue of the elimination of violence against women and I agree with his remarks in their...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take question Nos. 14 to 20, inclusive, together. This has been an intensive period for British-Irish relations. I will briefly outline to the House the extent of my recent engagements. On Wednesday, 26 October I congratulated the new British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, on his appointment and we discussed a number of issues of mutual interest, including the Northern...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 13, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on Europe oversees implementation of programme for Government commitments on the European Union and related issues. It generally meets in advance of formal meetings of the European Council. It last met on 13 October, ahead of the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 20 and 21 October. As I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Ó Murchú raised the shocking intensification of the war by Putin against the people of Ukraine. It is a brutal, savage attack on civilians and on a collective people. I was glad to hear this morning that Tony Connelly from RTÉ is in Kyiv to report live to us. It is important that broadcasting services can tell the world about the naked aggression of Russia and its...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Programme for Government (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Ó Murchú raised the issue of the transfer of the disability section from the Department of Health to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The transfer is ongoing but I hope we can bring it to a conclusion very quickly. It has not stopped the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Rabbitte, from being very proactive...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I remind Deputy Guirke that throughout my political career, I have consistently condemned the murder and assault of gardaí. I condemn unreservedly what happened last week. We are increasing Garda numbers. I do not know from where the Deputy gets his figures.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are 14,318 Garda members across the country, an increase of almost 12% since 2015. We are committed to delivering 15,000 members, for which we have activated training and so on. We are very consistent in wanting to improve the numbers. I take Deputy Brendan Smith's point on the need for supports for small and minority religion schools, in particular. We will do our utmost in...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I wish to make two points. Farmers are rarely castigated in this House. We pay tribute to the farming community for the effort made to reduce emissions. Last week, I was in Devenish Farm in Dowth, which is carbon-neutral. The Deputy made a valid point in terms of a national-based survey of soils so that we have a basis from which we can assess the progress being made in becoming...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: In terms of the use of a whole lot of stuff, they are not but they are making very good progress. Some farmers are-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----doing very good work. What I saw in Devenish Farm points to the direction and it is doable. The Deputy's point on the need for a national-based survey is valid. I am not disputing that.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Programme for Government (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. The Government has been working hard to implement the commitments in the programme for Government, supported through the co-ordinating mechanisms of the Cabinet committee process. The 11 Cabinet committees established by this Government reflect the broad range of policy areas it will work on during its lifetime, as set out in...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will speak to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on this. The Government does not deal directly with the pay issues of organisations. Progress has been made on a number of fronts with regard to community employment schemes and supervisors. I will come back to the Deputy with a note from the Minister.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I am not responsible for what gets said in any newspaper by various individuals. There is a public expenditure code to which Ministers must adhere. There will be a memo before Government next week in respect of this. The Deputy knows my views on it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are issues which the Deputy has highlighted. We have already taken some action on people coming from some EU countries with documents that were dispensed with when they arrived here and then they applied for asylum. This is particularly with regard to European refugees. We disapplied some aspects of the European Convention in this regard because an abuse was identified and...