Results 13,001-13,020 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and such militarisation there. I hope this continues to de-escalate. We do not want war. Above all, the people of Ukraine do not need war, destruction or conflict. Dialogue and diplomacy is extremely important. It is not in any way accurate to suggest that NATO is beating the drums of war here. NATO does not want war. The European Union does not want war and the member states of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has moved very quickly from the 120,000 Russian troops amassing on the Ukrainian border to blaming the British and the US. That is fantastic. He is back on terra firma again in terms of his ideological position on these matters

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I did not say that at all.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I think I covered all three Deputies in the one response there.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I fully agree with Deputy Richmond. There is full engagement with the United Kingdom Government in respect of all aspects of the current situation in Northern Ireland, including legacy, the protocol and implementation of the trade agreement. On Deputy Kelly's question, I am not aware of any agreement but I will come back to him on the specifics of the issue he raised with regard to RAF...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are new hybrid threats happening all over member states of the European Union.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Look at what happened in Belarus, which is protected by Russia. The use of migrants to create issues with EU member states was appalling in that respect.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I fully take on board what Deputy Haughey said. I believe I answered his question in my response to Deputy McDonald in respect of that 344-page report from the ombudsman. We will come back to that again.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 16, inclusive, together. The Covid-19 and health unit of my Department supports me and the Government in co-ordinating the Government's response to Covid-19, and in developing and implementing health policy and related matters. This includes supporting the work of the Cabinet committee on Covid-19, the Cabinet committee on health and the associated...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do not believe those classes should be phased out across Ireland. We need more preschool interventions, not fewer. I am not aware of the national policy background to this, if that is indeed the case or what specifics are regarding this school. I have had a number of specific queries today in respect of SNAs and so on. The State drew up a White Paper on this way back in the context of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, has been working extremely hard with other Ministers in respect of insurance costs more generally. I am not aware of mass closures of indoor sporting or play areas. However, there are issues. There are challenges as a result of high insurance costs. We are working hard to get those costs down. If the Deputy has specifics, we will take them from her...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 10, inclusive together. I spoke to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, by telephone on Wednesday, 24 November, when we discussed the Northern Ireland protocol. I also congratulated him on the successful hosting of COP26 in Glasgow. We briefly referenced the latest developments on Covid-19. I welcomed the continuation of the talks between the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I brought the House up to date on it twice yesterday.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will not go through the whole thing but a lot of progress has been made. The most recent meeting was on 26 or 27 January and both sides are reflecting on that discussion. The matter is progressing and we want to see it brought to a conclusion as quickly as it can be.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the Deputy raising this issue in respect of people's concerns regarding the report of the Commission on Pensions. That report went to the Oireachtas committee and Deputies and Senators made inputs there. The Commission on Taxation and Welfare is now meeting and reflecting on the report of the Commission on Pensions and the Government will look at the matter in its entirety when...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There has been a commitment already in regard to prescribing and so on nationally as well as to a national review in respect of the degree to which CAMHS centres across the country are compliant with the guidance that has been issued to them. The first and immediate priority is to look after and work with the families and children who have been harmed in respect of what transpired in south...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I cannot yet give a timeline for the introduction of legislation to establish an agency to bring together all the various strands and deal with the wider issue of violence, including sexual violence, against women. That is one aspect of it. We will work with the Oireachtas committee. Obviously, in advance of seeing recommendations, I do not think it is wise to commit to implement them. We...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Aontaím leis an Teachta agus admhaím go bhfuil ról faoi leith ag cúrsaí teanga agus cultúir ó thaobh sláinte na tíre. I accept his basic point and will refer it back to my officials and the group that is involved in drawing up the well-being framework. It was a joy to witness Ballygunner win on Saturday. I am not so sure the Ballyhale supporters...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will talk to the Minister of State, Deputy English, about that. I am not aware of the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, vetoing anything. I will discuss it with him.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will examine the matter but I want to give the Deputy an illustration. When the county managers came to me many years ago regarding Spike Island - I believe Senator McDowell was the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform at the time - Cork County Council did not hang around and was not worried about the cost implications of taking over the site. It saw the potential in it, took it...