Results 11,461-11,480 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: This Parliament is the last bastion of democracy and free speech. The Deputies opposite feel free to make all sorts of assertions and allegations against Government Members on a consistent basis, whether we are puppets of oil and gas or of NATO, which is a constant assertion of Deputy Murphy and others. I will always retain the right to speak freely in this House. The far left does not get...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Risk Assessment (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 11 to 18, inclusive, together. The national risk assessment has been prepared since 2014 and provides an opportunity to identify and discuss significant risks which may arise for Ireland. The national risk assessment 2021-22 was published last December. The experience of recent years has brought home the importance of work in the area of risk...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill was published in August. The Government asked the Minister for Justice for more information on the potential inclusion of facial recognition technology, FRT, by means of amendments on Committee Stage. A report has been prepared for the Cabinet and will be published in the near future. The...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: In recent years there has been a substantial increase in resources for recruitment of gardaí. That will continue. I accept that there are challenges, particularly in the context of antisocial behaviour and in rural Ireland. We want to strengthen and support An Garda Síochána. Funding for 1,000 gardaí to be recruited next year was provided in the budget. I am informed...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will have that examined, but I am not familiar with the details of what the Deputy has just said. The opening is very good news. It is a very good development. The bypass has been long awaited and will be of significance to Kerry as well as to Cork and to all who travel on that route. We will engage with the county council and TII in respect of the Deputy's suggestion.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The authorities are pursuing this matter. It was because of the local authority, in this case DCC, enforcing the legislation on fire safety that action has been taken to protect those who were in that unacceptable accommodation.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The consequences are in the legislation, but it is a matter for the council to pursue that. I am not going to prejudice any potential case that may arise.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy said that SIPTU or had been engaging but that it has now called a strike. We hope the existing industrial relations mechanisms can be deployed to resolve the issues in Bantry. I did not fully pick up what the Deputy is asking the Government to do in the case of-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will engage with the Deputy later on the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will be glad to know I raised and discussed this issue last week with President Macron, who is acutely aware of the needs of the west of Ireland. To be fair, Jeffrey Donaldson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, has raised this issue with us also in the context of an all-island approach to a Tour de France event. An all-island focus would be particularly important. We are...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will say no more. I was going to be a bit humorous. They want an eventful trip, certainly. I will not get into precise routes. I will defer to the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, in that respect.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: We have provided very significant resources for services for people with disabilities. I do not mean to be facetious, but I do not operate or run every service in every area of the country. There is a responsibility on the HSE and the people working in the local authorities to ensure that the necessary respite care is provided.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government has provided resources for disability services for respite and residential care. If the Deputy wants to forward the details we will take up the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: No.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The supports are there. There are issues, and I do not doubt what the Deputy has raised, but there is a problem with whoever is organising stuff there.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: Let me please answer the question. Every university now has very strong disability supports. They are very strong and funding is provided to the universities and third level colleges for services for students who are visually impaired and right across the board,including technological services, to enable people with disabilities to access education. The Deputy raised the matter of a...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: That young person, if in a position to do so, should complete the leaving certificate, perhaps through the DARE or HEAR programmes. There are two programmes that will facilitate access to college and the backup supports in the relevant third level college. That support is there and I do not understand why the pathway has not been outlined to this young person. I will take this up with the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, the Deputy has acknowledged the significant move in including illness benefit in the Christmas bonus. That was on top of a whole range of additional payments that have been made since the summer and since autumn began, right through to Christmas with the cost-of-living package. Of course, once we make additional moves the call is to go further again and further again. It is all...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: All of our thoughts are with Alejandro and his family and friends following the horrific ordeal for that young child. It is quite shocking and all of us are very disturbed by what has transpired here. There is also a degree of anger. I do not understand why there is a need to own such dangerous breeds. I think that we should go back to the drawing board. I do not have the full panoply of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: As I understand it, the HSE is endeavouring to get an interim GP in place-----