Results 13,161-13,180 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: We cannot just move on from that with a click of our fingers or wish it away. What we can do is rebalance that equation over time. If we did that, we would then free up more houses for the private market as well, for cost rental and so on. We can have all the politics about it and I respect people's views and different perspectives, but I keep coming back to the point that we need to get...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government has been working hard to implement the commitments in the programme for Government across a wide range of issues in all Departments. The ten Cabinet committees established by this Government reflect the full range of policy areas on which it will work on during its lifetime, as set out in the programme for Government. Cabinet committees meet regularly to continue this work....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: On the point made by Deputy Kerrane concerning the local employment services and job clubs, there has been considerable discussion about this in the House and, indeed, within the Government. The Minister has received significant legal advice in respect of the European directive and the need to adhere to it. The Minister, in the designing of the tendering process and framework, has put a...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I apologise; I do not know the detail of that. I do not know the background so I do not want to make any comments. However, I will say that no intimidatory actions or actions of the kind the Deputy has described should occur when children or teachers are in school or in an early education setting. Nobody should be endangered by any actions. There are better ways to resolve issues.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The public service, justice and policing reform unit is part of the social policy and public service reform division of my Department. The work of the unit supports me, in my role as Taoiseach, with regard to criminal justice, policing, community safety and related matters. The unit incorporates the policing reform implementation programme office, which oversees the implementation of A...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: On the issue of Tusla's report and the review of the provision of accommodation for victims of domestic violence, as the Deputy will know, the Minister for Justice said last week that she would be taking overall responsibility for policy and wraparound services. She will therefore be publishing that review along with both interim and medium-term plans to provide for and develop those places,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: We in the European Union have been dealing with Belarus, for example. Let us not always try to dilute the core argument I am putting forward because what I am saying is the truth.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do not agree with what is going on in Hungary at all in some of what it is doing but equally let us not pretend either-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The first question was about the TEN-T and was from Deputy Kerrane. It related to the western rail corridor. The western rail corridor is now being considered in the context of the all-island rail strategy that the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has agreed with his counterpart in Northern Ireland. Through the shared island initiative, we have agreed to fund an overall strategic...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister brought them in in December, to be fair. The 2% limit was introduced by legislation in December. It will take some time to bed in. The rent control board will carry out its own engagement with landlords to make sure that the legislation is adhered to. The rent pressure zones have been around for quite some time and are similar to the measures in France that the Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have no issue with linking people's income to rent. In fact, our social housing programme is quite good in that respect. Likewise, HAP is a support to many low-income families in getting access to housing. Our preference, however, is to build more houses and to build social housing through the approved housing bodies and the local authorities in order that people can get access to social...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Is the Deputy saying we should not build?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There is no doubt but that the absence of supply is driving rents at present.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: As for the issue Deputy Cian O'Callaghan raised, of course apartments are homes - I know that - but we have had an issue with the building of apartments in recent years. We have been in government for one year and a half and we have been endeavouring to deal with the issue of viability. Builders are saying they cannot build apartments and get a return. There has been a particular absence...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Yes. We will reach 9,500 this year. That is the maximum.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Leasing is not the big story anymore. The Deputy knows that. We will directly build 9,500 houses. To respond to Deputy Ó Murchú, as I said, the 2% limit on rent increases came in last December. It is now February. It will take some time to bed in. I take his point that supply will take time. I appreciate his candour and honesty about that. There were 30,000 commencements...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is correct in that there is ongoing negotiation between the Irish Dental Association, which represents dentists, and the HSE, representing the State and taxpayer in respect of services. A balance has to be struck between representing the taxpayer and value for money and the need to provide badly needed services for medical card holders.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: As I said in my response to Deputy Tóibín, who raised the issue on Leaders' Questions, we are very opposed to the amnesty proposal that has emanated from the British Government. We do not believe in unilateral action on legacy issues. The British and Irish Governments and all the parties in Northern Ireland have entered into an intergovernmental conference on this in terms of the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which is being consideration by Government. She has been a long-term advocate for school secretaries. As she knows, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is leading on the broader issue of pay and conditions. As she said, this issue is scheduled to be discussed in further meetings within the industrial relations process. We...

Green Hydrogen Strategy Bill 2022: First Stage (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: No.