Results 12,481-12,500 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: As the Deputy knows, the Government more broadly has moved to reduce excise and VAT on energy products in the last package. We have also taken specific measures for hauliers and have a separate tillage initiative related to the growth of protein crops, grain and mixed-species swards. The Deputy is talking about the horticultural sector, in essence. As I have said, the Government has taken...
- An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, in the Department of Transport will be engaging with Dublin Airport in respect of this. There are issues with recruitment. Notwithstanding all the challenges facing the economy, the reality is we have never had so many people employed. We have had real challenges with...
- An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: We will be taking this issue up with the British Government. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has already discussed it with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. It is my understanding that the Secretary of State is committed to putting the legislation in place but not until after the election. I will say that the commitments that have been given in respect of the language Act...
- An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: The Minister is working on that. I can confirm that we will endeavour to have a debate on that next week and I have asked the Chief Whip to follow up on that. On having a debate on both the pigmeat sector or a debate on the war in Yemen, I have to say to the Deputies that there is more Private Members' time available in this Dáil than in previous Dáileanna. There is therefore...
- An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: ----- in Private Members' time. There is Topical Issues as well. We need to balance legislation-----
- An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: -----with debates. The House is not meant to be three days of every week dealing with statements and nothing else but statements. It is also a legislative assembly and we have to get that balance right.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: That is what we are doing. There is a very strong social housing construction component in Housing for All. It is the largest component. In 2022, we will deliver close to 12,000 social homes, the highest number ever, of which 9,000 will be new builds. In addition, since the Government came into office more than 18 months ago we have focused strongly on voids, as has the Minister for...
- An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: He should eat the rasher with a poached egg.
- An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: I did not answer-----
- An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: I actually said he should have the rasher with a poached egg or a poached egg with the rasher.
- An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: I was not joking; I was serious. I believe in a good rasher for breakfast. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is alive to the issue. We have already allocated funding to the pigmeat industry. Just as we did in respect of Covid-19 when we helped an awful lot of enterprises survive by investing in them, we also want to keep a viable industry, the pigmeat industry, intact and...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: I have said consistently in the House that housing is the single most important social and economic issue facing us as a country at this moment in time. Access to housing is fundamental to people's sense of well-being, security, stability and health, and for us as a broader society in terms of our progress as a nation. That is why we have, on a whole-of-government approach, developed the...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: In the first instance, we have to deal with the agreement we have.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: Yes, but there is an election on right now. Whatever the outcome of the election, thestatus quo applies regarding the election of the Executive First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Once that happens and an Executive is established under the current electoral and political framework, the parties in the North can by all means engage regarding whatever reforms-----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: Just hear me out, please. They can engage with the two governments regarding whatever reforms they believe are desirable. There is an election on right now, however, and we should allow it to take its course and the people elected to create the Executive.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: To take the Deputy's last question first, I think the White House, through the person of President Biden, has been remarkably consistent, strong and assertive in regard to the Good Friday Agreement and the protection of the agreement. In my meeting with the President, he was very strong on that. I briefed him on the current situation in Northern Ireland in respect of the Executive and the...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: I wanted to respond to questions she raised. I can take them up in the next round.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: We are still 80% reliant on importation of fossil fuels more broadly across the energy portfolio. We are making good progress on the contribution of renewables to electricity where I think we are at 41% or 43%. The point is that gas will be a transitional backup fuel for a long time, behind our renewables effort. The Deputy is correct that this war means we have to double down on...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: I congratulate the Deputy on her election as leader of the Labour Party. I wish her every success.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2022)
Micheál Martin: I express the very best wishes from us. I pay tribute to the Deputy's predecessor as leader, Deputy Alan Kelly. Notwithstanding the odd spat we enjoyed a good relationship. His heart was always in the public interest and of that there can be no doubt. I appreciated his constructive leadership in the teeth of the Covid-19 crisis. I concur with much of what the Deputy has said in...