Results 13,421-13,440 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The most important strategic investment in Waterford and the south east is the new technological university. That is the most important investment that will occur. It needs to happen, it will happen and it will be followed with investment.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The university is key in terms of leveraging more research investment, which it will. As a lifelong passionate advocate for education, higher education and research-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy spoke about strategic investment.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I would differ from the Deputy in that I would put far more emphasis on the necessity for the university.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister for Finance is looking at the fintech issue. A decision was taken by the Oireachtas in respect of taking competition out of the Central Bank's remit. There are issues in terms of bank competition in Ireland. We know that. There are other issues as well, but I do not have time now to go into the detail.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy that the importance of Kerry, in particular Killarney and Farranfore airport, can never be overestimated. The airport is very valuable and important to the economic development of the region and to the social life of the region. With the development of the Munster Technological University, there are great opportunities and synergies to be had in terms...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the points the Deputy has made. I think we should get on with this scheme. Migration policy is evolving. It is a very progressive and important scheme. We will continue to evaluate it as it is progressed and rolled out. It is a ground breaking scheme relative to how we have dealt with this issue in the past. Lessons can be learned as we roll it out and we can get greater...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the Deputy raising this issue. I know he has a life-long commitment to this area. In that context, I intend to bring to Cabinet shortly proposals for a citizens' assembly on biodiversity. It is absolutely critical that we move on this and that we move with speed and conviction. I intend to do that.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: My understanding is that there was a reconfiguration of the hospital there and that it is looking for a new centre, in respect of which it is liaising with the users. I will ask the Minister to come to the Deputy on the matter. We will pursue it.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will inquire of the Minister of State in terms of the timelines around that. I am working on this and my departmental officials are preparing an overarching plan in terms of partnerships and area partnerships to see what is the best way forward on a multidisciplinary basis to provide safe communities, to ensure those communities most in need are looked after and that people can go about...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy may be aware that the party leaders met during the week. Approximately a fortnight ago, it was announced in the House that the Minister for Justice would lead on policy and services in respect of violence against women and that a new strategy will be published, hopefully, in March. There will then be accountability to the Department of An Taoiseach and the Cabinet subcommittee...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Significant capital moneys have been allocated to roads and public transport in the NDP. Notwithstanding that, a whole range of projects have been at different stages of development, whether it be route appraisal and so on. We will have to engage with the Department and TII with a view to how these projects can be progressed. Some only have to move to route selection, which would not...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: All the party leaders in the House met on Monday to discuss the issue of violence against women and sexual violence. Legislation was one of the areas raised, along with others. The Oireachtas should look at this through the Joint Committee on Justice. I know that the families of women who have been murdered are very aggrieved at the current situation in respect of their being alerted to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is prone to a little fanfare himself.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: My experience of cross-Border projects is that planning and objections seem to be slowing down many of them. We are making funding available to cross-Border road projects.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: For example, for the first time in a long time we are putting flesh on the bones of the Narrow Water bridge project. I have allocated funding to it with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will examine that project along with others. The NDP is very expensive in terms of the amount of money that is being provided for road projects. As I said, we will engage with the Minister and the TII in respect of what can be done on a whole variety of projects that are at different stages of development.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Yes, in short I would welcome a proposal from the mid-west in respect of an elective-only hospital. In the health service generally, capital projects are moving too slowly. The elective process has gone on for five or six years through different working parties, in addition to people, consultants and administrators having different views. The Government has taken a decision to press ahead...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Yes, it is devastating news for the workers involved. The State agencies should do everything they possibly can to support them and help to ensure that the company can stay open, if that is possible. I do not have the full background to the rationale behind the decision, but it is critical that the State agencies also engage with the workers to support them in every way possible in respect...