Results 1,141-1,160 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Regeneration Projects (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, together. Proposals are currently being developed regarding the establishment of a task force for Cork city centre. Once they are finalised, the proposals will be submitted to the Government for its consideration. In essence, the role of the task force will be to examine and develop a strategy for the renewal and refurbishment of the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: In the context of the European Parliament - I did not see the exact motion by the way - we do not impose the same rigid discipline on public representatives generally that the Deputy's party might because they have to look at the broad range of issues. Motions can be long and they can be this and that. We are against the Mercosur deal on the basis that we have asked our farmers to reduce...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Developing areas have to be prioritised, as they have been for a number of years, because they are growing very fast and there is an inadequacy of provision. Special education is another area in which we must ensure extensions for autism classes or centres are fast-tracked, accelerated and provided in schools that are taking in children with additional needs. More proactivity is needed in...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Teachta Callaghan. I congratulate her and her family and wish her the very best in her time in Dáil Éireann. In respect of the new disability unit, we have already had meetings and I have already identified to my officials that I want a disability unit which works with all Departments in respect of the broad issue of disability to make sure that,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I am very aware of those attacks, as well as the violent events and incidents on the streets of Cork last summer. We need to recruit and allocate more gardaí to Cork city in particular. We intend to establish a city task force for the city centre area. More generally, there is a proactive plan ahead to increase the number of gardaí throughout the country which will enable us to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: As I said, these talks are going back to the WRC in the context of the last pay agreement. We are aiming to achieve pay parity. In the context of the earlier contribution to which I responded, we will be pursuing this as part of a wider range of issues in terms of disability more generally. This is part of it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I referenced that in the earlier replies, though some took issue with it, when I said the level of violence in our society needs to be addressed. We believe in proactive measures. We believe in prevention. We need to deal with excess alcohol and drug use, which are factors in violence on our streets and definitely in some instances, though not all, a factor in the unrestricted level of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: We need to look at the underlying issues giving rise to such violence on our streets because the Garda will never be at every scene every time. That starts right through our education system and the community in terms of creating an intolerant approach but also different strategies. I do not disagree with the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Minister, Deputy Foley, has brought that issue and we anticipate it now will be dealt with in the context of the WRC. My understanding is the WRC suspended talks for the duration of the general election. My understanding is also, and my hope, those talks will resume very quickly with a view to getting a resolution of this issue and a just resolution of it. We will be focusing on that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I agree on increased resources toward services for children with additional needs. In respect of school there should be no excuse for an absence of any place for any child. It is a constitutional right and there is legislation that places an obligation on schools and on the State. We may need to strengthen that legislation if it is not being enacted. There has been a reluctance to enact...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is clearly in line with Standing Orders because that is what the Shandon clock was known as. I am very sympathetic to facilitating that request and will speak to the Minister about Shandon, which is one of Cork's greatest landmarks. It is refreshing to hear the words "biggest clock face", which are only appropriate given it is the city of Cork. We need to revisit the issue of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I was mentioned once or twice in dispatches.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I have discussed housing extensively in the past 20 minutes, given absolute clarity and identified the need to bring in private sector investment. I have identified the need to look seriously at brownfield sites in particular.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Nothing is ruled out in respect of brownfield sites, as far as I am concerned, in particular in the cities. That said, we will also look at other initiatives to incentivise private sector investment, particularly in apartment building and, again, in cities and large towns. That is where there is a challenge. The €450 million is additional. It will build houses and units that are...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Equally, in terms of the other initiatives we decided on yesterday, which I have elaborated on, the strategic housing office established and the national-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: Like the Deputy, I express my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Quham Babatunde on his shocking death on the streets of Dublin this weekend. We think of all the victims of crime recently in our city and in Stoneybatter. It is unacceptable. Significant additional resources are being put into high-visibility policing in Dublin city centre. More than half of the gardaí who...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: A proper debate.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: I turn first to agrifood. There are 135 minutes allocated. We will extend it, if necessary, into next week. There is an issue with the availability of the Minister. It is a serious issue. That is accepted. In terms of the Housing Commission, it seems that the Deputies opposite are opposed to a lot of what is in the Housing Commission.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: When I reference one area of it, I get attacked. I have no issue with a debate on the Housing Commission.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Feb 2025)

Micheál Martin: We have had a debate every week. I will make a general point as we are looking at Standing Orders and so on.