Results 11,321-11,340 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: We can do a number of things, first through curricular reform but more importantly through an ethos of tolerance within schools creating a safe environment for the entire LGBTI+ community, particularly the transgender community. There are issues. We also need to deal with the bullying issue, which is related. More broadly a whole-of-school approach is key to enabling people to feel safe in...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will talk to the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy English, to see how they intend to address the issue.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Work has been done on this. There is ongoing consideration of it within the Department of Health. I will come back to the Deputy on it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The good news is that I believe the Minister will be in a position to advance the TBESS through amendments to the Finance Bill. Good progress is also being made on the commission. We hope this can be operational before the end of the year. I will again talk to the Minister about the issue the Deputy has raised regarding the use of oil, for example. There is no intended discrimination.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Many of these schemes depend on the methodology of payments and how best one can organise the scheme.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: We will come back to the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is a very good point. Pain clinics are essential for many people. I will talk to the Minister.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I kind of would, yes. I will pursue it. I do not think it is our intention. The intention of these schemes is to help people on low income or social welfare payments. They contribute to alleviating the pressure they are feeling at the moment because of the extraordinary energy price increases. I will pursue it with the Minister. I think we can resolve this. I thank the Deputy for...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy. One of the great takeaways from COP27 is the immediacy of climate change now. It is not something on the distant horizon and we have seen devastating weather events that can occur because of climate change. The presentations from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Somalia and the small island states of the Pacific all reveal the immediate consequences of this. Personal...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government deserves to be commended and the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, in particular should be commended on the work he has done in respect of insurance reform. I take the point that a significant range of reforms has now been enacted and while the cost of motor insurance has come down, other insurance premiums have not. The Government will be examining the issue to ensure we...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: A Member of the other House has been in touch with me about meeting survivors and I have no difficulty in doing that. I have said we are open to a debate next week. We need to discuss the matter but we do not in any way wish to impact any prosecutions that may take place. We also need to discuss the most effective way to inquire into the matter. It is shocking and sickening, especially...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is our wish that we will have this issue solved in advance of that timeline but that is still a matter for the discussions and negotiations. Following agreement we would intend bringing in a new contract hopefully to ramp up the recruitment of more consultants. On the RHAs, good consultations and engagement with health sector stakeholders have been held and more are scheduled. These...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I would concur with what the Deputies have said about the sickening and shocking nature of abuse at Blackrock College and the scale and nature of that abuse. We have time and next week might be a better opportunity. We had some preliminary discussions at Government level on this and we have to take some advice as well in respect of any current cases that are ongoing. I know the Garda has...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: That is not a matter for me; I cannot deal with that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: That is not a matter for me either; it is a matter for the House.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Ó Laoghaire raised the same issue as Deputy Bacik.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Paul Murphy is of the view that no one has read the judgment but he wants a debate today on it. That is not feasible either so I suggest that we pencil a debate in at some stage. CETA has been provisionally in operation since 2017. We will not rush any response to this; we want to give due consideration to the judgment and the conclusion from the Supreme Court that amendment to the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It is important in terms of the improvement and enhancement of our health services. It is very much grounded in recruiting expertise and personnel. Since 2020, a net 15,000 personnel have been recruited to the health service, which is the highest ever number recruited in the HSE since its establishment or indeed in the health service. Huge...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Free trade is the esprit de corpsof this country. Since the 1960s, we have fundamentally changed an insular approach to an external approach by joining the European Union and embracing the Single Market. Why? Because we sell 90% of everything we make in this country, be it services or merchandise. We sell and export to create wealth and jobs in this country. Deputy Boyd Barrett's diatribe...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: We export €4 billion to Canada, which is a country that abides by the same liberal democratic values as we do and which is as committed to climate change as we are.