Results 11,941-11,960 of 51,889 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: Sorry, I am answering the question. A workforce plan is in place. Recruitment for the new laboratory is an ongoing priority for the HSE. It is working with the faculty of pathology to build the required expertise. As already stated, Dr. Cillian De Gascun was recently appointed as interim director of the national cervical screening laboratory. A lot will depend on the pace of recruitment....

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

Micheál Martin: Work in respect of the national cervical screening laboratory at the Coombe is under way. It will take time before it will have sufficiency to offer full national coverage, although I would point out - and we have to be objective as best as we can - that Dr. Scally did not find, in respect of the particular lab, that there was a higher or lower incidence than elsewhere. Be that as it may,...

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

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and for the manner in which she raised it. I agree wholeheartedly that it is extremely important that the work of Vicky Phelan is reflected in action in terms of legislation, in terms of the framework and architecture of the screening programme itself, insofar as it is located in Ireland, and in terms of the renewal of an audit of the screening...

Death of Vicky Phelan: Expressions of Sympathy (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is correct. Vicky Phelan did not want eulogy or tribute. She did not want us making speeches about her in this House. It was a mark of the woman that even though her life, her illness and, ultimately, her passing was the catalyst for so much, she wanted action and she did not want it to be about her alone. She made an extraordinary impact on her country and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I had a short courtesy meeting with the European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, on 11 October, in Government Buildings. Our discussion focussed on topical European issues. We discussed Russia’s escalating war against Ukraine, and the resolute response of the European Union. I expressed Ireland’s strong support for Ukraine and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Functions (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: A Climate Action Unit was established in the Department of the Taoiseach in 2019 to support the Taoiseach and Government in dealing with the challenges of climate change and making the necessary transition to a climate-neutral economy. The Climate Action Unit is part of the Economic Division of my Department. The Unit plays an important role in ensuring a whole-of-government response to the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Bodies (15 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Climate Action Delivery Board has met three times this year, on the 28th of January, the 8th of April and the 22nd of July. I anticipate that the next meeting of the Delivery Board will be scheduled shortly for later this year. This is in keeping with commitments under the Climate Action Plan 2021 for the Delivery Board to meet quarterly.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: There needs to be a meeting of the ways here because the new funding model in operation since September offers ECCE providers public funding of at least an additional €9.75 per child per week. That is 40% more than the €7 increase in capitation sought by the federation. The change in the funding model increases investment in session and pre-school services from approximately...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I get the point.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: On the issue Deputy Mythen raised, we should be in a position to apply the flood scheme, the humanitarian assistance scheme. I will talk to the Tánaiste's office and see if we can follow up on that, if that has not happened already, because there is no issue with that where storms happen and damage is done. In response to Deputy MacSharry, that was a pilot scheme in respect of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: What we are saying now is that, in addition to the record number of social houses we have built this year, we will-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----now also consider rapid-build housing. In response to Deputy McNamara, those people on that scheme should not suffer a reduction in income from the new scheme. I will take that up with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: We want more and more people engaged in environmentally friendly farming. That is a fabulous scheme in the Burren. We need more of those schemes, and farmers need to be compensated and to have income streams that encourage and incentivise restoration and protection of biodiversity. In response to Deputy Patricia Ryan, there should be equity in respect of funding of Men's Sheds and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy took me to many places when I was in Carlow last week, but I am very annoyed that she did not introduce me to Laz Murphy's sausages.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy might send me a pack of sausages.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I occasionally indulge in a sausage, notwithstanding what you might think.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I heard that. Clonakilty is listening in. The serious point is about microgeneration. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, regarding the first point the Deputy made in respect of farmers, where microgeneration can be used for energy within the farm but also for selling on to the grid eventually. That is the objective of the scheme. We want farming to become more involved on...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government maintains ongoing contact with the haulage industry. We have had a number of schemes from the time of the Covid pandemic and onwards to try to support the haulage industry. We are acutely aware of the impact of energy price rises on the industry. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has provided some supports and initiatives. I will talk to him in respect of what the Deputy...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The issue is basically that the patrons and trustees of both schools have set this process of amalgamation in train. A fundamental principle of partnership in education is consultation. Parents are clear that they have not been consulted enough in respect of this proposal. I was not in the Chamber yesterday evening - I was in Cairo - so I did not...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Nov 2022)

Micheál Martin: We have changed the curriculum and prioritised physical activity in schools. We need to be careful that we do not compartmentalise this into one 45-minute period of the day. One of the big problems with primary schools is curriculum overload because there are so many core subjects, with science and other subjects having been added in the past 20 years. Physical activity should be part of...