Results 13,601-13,620 of 51,015 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do not accept the "double standards" jibe. By the way, I do not accept the juxtaposition of the two either. I want to make that point because I had this terrible feeling that-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----there are many formulaic responses to Ukraine and then the Deputy very hurriedly wants to move on to other issues. Anyway, I will say no more than that. Deputy Paul Murphy spoke about the corporate sustainability due diligence EU directive. We support greater corporate accountability. The European Union has done far more than most across the world in terms of corporate...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----notwithstanding the fact that of all international bodies, the European Union has by far been the most progressive in terms of holding companies to account on environmental issues and on a range of other issues as well. It is a draft directive. It will go through change as it goes through the various Councils and so on. In response to Deputy O'Reilly in relation to the Ukraine, I...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I just want to make the important point that once the violation of a country's integrity happens, it is creeping then and now we have an all-out war.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: There could have been, in my view, greater opposition to the invasion of Crimea at the time all round. I merely want to say that. In relation to section 110 entities, I made my position clear on that. With regard to authorised investment funds, the Central Bank has advised that total Russian assets held on 31 December 2021 is estimated at €11.4 billion or 0.3% of the total Irish...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: We will do everything we can.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, on Deputy Ó Murchú's point, the implications of this are potentially enormous for the country and for the Continent in terms of migratory flows and people needing support. We have already provided an initial €10 million relief contribution.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: It will mean the energising of many community-based responses, as well as official responses to Ukrainians coming into Ireland to help them. On Deputy Barry's point, we would be totally opposed to and would condemn any racist practices in terms of facilitating people who are freeing a war zone such as Ukraine.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 17, inclusive, together. The economic division in my Department supports me and the Government in developing and implementing policy to support sustainable economic development in areas such as job creation, housing, climate action, digital issues and well-being. This work is particularly focused on ensuring a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. The international section of the Department supports my work at international level, beyond the European Union, to promote Ireland's foreign and economic policy objectives and to maintain and develop strong bilateral and multilateral relations. Working closely with other Departments, including the Department of Foreign...

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

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is aware, the NCSE allocates special needs assistants to schools. Record numbers of SNAs have been allocated again this year. The range of resources for special education continues to significantly increase year on year. I will refer the Deputy’s case, as well as the issue that he has raised, to the NCSE for a response.

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

Micheál Martin: The funding was doubled from €10 million to €20 million. The Deputy should acknowledge that.

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

Micheál Martin: It might be useful if the Deputy could send me on the details about how, from his perspective, County Kerry seems to be disadvantaged in relation to other counties. I would like to see the figures.

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

Micheál Martin: First, a whole range and raft of measures have been introduced to reduce insurance costs. I will not go through all the details here. In fact, an update and progress report will soon be published by the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming. Motor insurance has come down by 10% but the bulk of other insurance costs have not yet come down. This is notwithstanding the changes that have been...

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

Micheál Martin: First, public procurement is a matter for all of these agencies. It is not for the Oireachtas to decide every individual contract. There is a broader issue, if people wish to reform the procurement process itself. I think we are entering into a new situation if individual Deputies are to decide who will win individual contracts from State agencies. That is the road on which I am not clear...

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

Micheál Martin: I did not say that-----

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

Micheál Martin: The Deputy Paul will spin it whatever way he wants to spin it anyway.

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

Micheál Martin: That legislation is on Second Stage in the Seanad and represents the most effective way in which we can respond to this very serious issue. In parallel with that are the ongoing programmes in education in terms of building up self-esteem and self-respect among children at the earliest ages. There are a variety of psychologically-informed programmes that can help children to withstand...

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

Micheál Martin: I have articulated our support for the acceleration of Ukraine’s membership of the European Union. I made it very clear that in respect of diplomatic channels, our primary concern is not the ambassador but rather Irish citizens who will need our assistance both in Ukraine and potentially Russia as well. We should not understate the seriousness of that in terms of helping people...

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

Micheál Martin: The first point I will make is that the retrofit scheme is very positive. It will provide very significant resources to households generally across the country in terms of insulation and reducing energy costs for ordinary people over time. It will take time to get to critical mass. A raft of protections have been introduced legislatively by the Minister, whom I will alert to this issue....