Results 13,181-13,200 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: As I said yesterday, I will not get into the specifics of the package of measures that the Government is considering now but I appreciate the Deputy raising these matters. As I said yesterday, the idea is to do what we can to alleviate the pressures families are experiencing now because of the increased cost of living and the inflation being generated internationally across the globe. It is...

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

Micheál Martin: I do not know either. There must be processes to deal with these types of matters. The Parliament cannot investigate every single transgression.

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

Micheál Martin: There should be proper systems in place within the Prison Service or externally to investigate such matters properly and appropriately. I will speak to the Minister for Justice about the point raised.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Again, I thank the Deputy. As I said, we will engage with Eir and the other companies with regard to provision. The world has changed. The Deputy is correct to point out that the late Albert Reynolds was the pioneer in communications-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and bringing Ireland up to a level of communications capacity that was instrumental in foreign direct investment coming into the country as well.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is very important, therefore, that we get it right with broadband and that we get a high level and high quality of connectivity. That means investment from both the private sector and the State, which is investing very significantly in the intervention areas that are not covered by private sector companies. Those areas are now earmarked in the national broadband plan. The State is...

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

Micheál Martin: In the budget we took a major step forward in providing funding to deal with pay and conditions within the early childcare sector. I agree that career pathways have to be developed in early education and early childcare. The funding has increased dramatically, from approximately €69 million to €207 million through to 2023, to facilitate that. A joint labour committee has been...

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

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising an important issue. What she has just raised is very disturbing. The legislation for safe access zones is listed for priority drafting and we have facilitated the Bill the Deputy referred to in terms of its progression.

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

Micheál Martin: As I said yesterday, the agreement of the three parties in the programme for Government was that we would commence a number of citizens' assemblies. Due to Covid-19 we were not in a position to do that. In terms of two of the commitments, one has been established on biodiversity, which is a crisis, and likewise with regard to the Dublin mayor, which had been agreed. As regards drugs...

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

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is correct that Covid-19 has had a very significant impact in terms of delayed diagnoses. Many activities that would have been taking place were suspended, particularly during severe surges of the Omicron, Delta and previous variants. It has had a serious impact with regard to delayed diagnoses and on waiting lists. In response to Covid-19 up to €350 million has been...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: In the first instance, I have told the Deputy what we are doing. I do not agree with the amnesty at all and I do not take it as a likelihood. The Irish Government has entered into discussions with the British Government and all of the parties in Northern Ireland in respect of the proposals that emanated from the British Government last year. We have made it very clear we do not accept any...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: First of all, proposals were made that cannot be accepted. We have opposed them and have made it very clear to the British Government that there can be an amnesty for nobody. State forces and governments have a higher moral order in how they conduct themselves, as does the government in any state. Equally, no paramilitaries should have an amnesty either in respect of heinous crimes and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and suggest that, given his poetic elegance, by the time I sit down, Eir will have heard this has been raised in Leinster House. I appreciate the seriousness of the matter because connectivity is everything today in the modern era for work, education and quality of life. Eir has announced, as part of its €1 billion capital investment...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have been a long-standing advocate for social housing, along with the Deputy, even when I was in opposition. We are now looking at an unprecedented social housing programme. It is going to take time to build but it is happening right now.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There were 31,000 starts last year. I accept and am glad the Deputy acknowledged the need for private sector investment. It does need to be constrained. We have already brought in planning constraints on funds in terms of housing estates and being able to bulk buy. They cannot do so. From a taxation perspective and a planning position, that has happened. In terms of apartment building,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. This report from the police ombudsman is a very significant one. It is a deeply disturbing report and, as the Deputy stated, the second such report in a matter of weeks. Examining those attacks, in particular that in south Belfast in Sean Graham bookmakers, resulting in many murders and one attempted murder, it has found very strong...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There is no doubt in my mind that Sinn Féin's policies would restrict rental supply in the next number of years-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and would actually cause rents to go up. The Deputy knows that. She mentioned houses. She knows well we have already taken steps, both legislative and through taxation, that do not allow for bulk buying of houses and for homes in housing estates.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: It does not, and the Deputy knows it.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: An Bord Pleanála has followed up in terms of recent decisions in relation to that. The Mullen Park project in Maynooth did not proceed. We are talking here about the other report that was referenced this morning in terms of apartments and so on. That is the context. There cannot be bulk buying of houses and homes and so on in this State.