Results 11,141-11,160 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (13 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, I want to thank the Deputy for raising this issue. He has been consistently raising this issue for quite some time along with Deputy Cahill, who has been very persistent on it. We are aware of the depth of feeling among the people in Roscrea associated with the Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Unit. The Deputy gave the background to the decision making that led to where we are. It...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: Many of these amendments are not offensive and are quite pragmatic. We should always work to streamline our planning system and make it more efficient. Most people are saying it takes too long to get anything through the planning system. Judicial reviews need streamlining. That does not stop anybody having the right to go to judicial review. We need to examine the system because...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is the first person in the House to ask why this and that have not been done. Any State agency asked about the vital infrastructure that is needed in the country will say planning delays are the most significant ones. It can take two or three years. In maritime area planning, it will take eight to ten years to get an offshore wind energy project done. That is too long....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and accept the sincerity of the case he is making in respect of the climate action plan and the need to reduce emission ceilings. I think the Deputy agrees there is an overall need to create emission ceilings and to reduce emissions in all sectors of the economy, including agriculture. It is important the Irish Government supports the Irish...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: Aontaím leis an Teachta. Tá sé dochreidte go bhfuil sé seo fós ag tarlú sa lá atá inniu ann. Déanaim comhbhrón arís leis na teaghlaigh go léir atá ag fulaingt de dheasca an mhéid a tharla. Caithfimid dul i ngleic leis seo agus an scéal a réiteach. On the review being shared with the families in Cork, I have...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. There are two separate issues here but I accept there is a connection in terms of overall planning. On the amendments coming forward to the Planning and Development Act, four sets of amendments were initially considered for inclusion by Government in the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill. All four sets of amendments were identified...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I express my deepest sympathies to the families involved who, having experienced the tragedy of losing a beloved child or loved one, have that grief compounded by the wrong and inappropriate disposal of organs. It is unacceptable and very distressing for the families concerned. In many respects, it is incomprehensible given that there was a major inquiry nearly 20 years ago which covered...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (13 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: The rates of remuneration of the Secretary General and Assistant Secretaries at my Department are based on the pay-scales set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with the Secretary General being paid at Secretary General 1 level. The current rates used by my Department are set out in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 04/2022, Application of 1st February 2022...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (13 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: Recruitment to my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (the only body under the aegis of my Department) is, in the main, undertaken through the Public Appointments Service which plays a central role in recruiting diverse talent to take up public service employment opportunities in line with their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2023 which aims to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Rights of People with Disabilities (13 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: My Department has no offices which are usually open to the public to access services and neither does the National Economic and Social Development Office, which is the only body under the aegis of my Department. All accommodation is provided and managed by the Office of Public Works including the provision of fully accessible changing places and toilet facilities.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Rights of People with Disabilities (13 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: My Department supports the implementation of national policies and strategies designed to advance the lives of people with disabilities including those set out in the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. Neither my Department nor the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, currently provide statutory services...

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy said it is a failed state.

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I did not realise, apologies. Addressing climate change and protecting our biodiversity is not about any one sector.

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thought the Leas-Cheann Comhairle said I had 20 minutes.

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: My apologies. In this and in every element of government, in spite of unprecedented challenges because of the pandemic, the Government has worked to implement the programme that will over our full mandate deliver real and sustained progress for the Irish people. When we hear the loud and aggressive speeches of the Opposition that nothing is being done, that the people are being ignored,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I see, but the Deputy does want me to learn from France in respect of issues.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: That said, we have brought in many measures in terms of rent protection zones, including the 2% limit. We brought in six pieces of legislation to protect renters and we will have to continue to do more in that regard. Deputy Murphy is probably one of the more anti-European Union Members of this House. He has a consistent negativity about Europe and the LNG coming in. They have no choice;...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: Russia has caused a crisis, and the Deputy ignored the fact the European Union has brought forward a timetable for renewables.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: The European Commission is driving on renewables. However, People Before Profit, Sinn Féin and others just constantly have to have a go at the European Union - always attacking.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Haughey raised a very important point and he is absolutely correct. There is a real crisis emerging in the Horn of Africa. Deputy Haughey highlighted that. We will take steps for working with the European Union to see what we can do. I am extremely worried about it. It is a combination of the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis along with four successive years of drought. It is...