Results 13,621-13,640 of 50,294 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: Yes, I know. When I was in opposition the last time, the only committee that did its work honourably, or at least the majority did, was the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action. It made recommendations that were not palatable electorally but Oireachtas committees are not often disposed to making recommendations that are electorally unpalatable. That said, I will read the report and...

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

Micheál Martin: I have not read the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection in detail. I thought Deputy Howlin said it had recommended increases in PRSI but I am not so sure that it has done so.

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

Micheál Martin: I have an open mind, genuinely. The Government will approach this with an open mind. The Commission on Pensions did very detailed work, under Ms Josephine Feehily's chairmanship. It did genuine, bona fide work. It is work that will feed in. The joint committee has examined that. The Deputy made the point that it is fiscally sound. That will be examined. It has to be fiscally sound....

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

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Tá a fhios agam go mbeidh Teachtaí tríd an Teach ag déanamh ómóis inniu do mo chara agus iar-chomhghleacaí Noel Treacy, atá imithe ar shlí na fírinne. I express my deepest sympathies to Mary and to the family on the death of Noel Treacy, who had a long and distinguished public life. He came into...

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

Micheál Martin: From?

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

Micheál Martin: The money is there.

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

Micheál Martin: I think the Deputy is asking the wrong question. The €5 million is not an issue in solving this.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Official Engagements (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government recognises the importance of regular and open engagement with all sectors of society. In recent months I have had a number of engagements with social partners in a variety of different formats. This includes through mechanisms such as LEEF, the Labour Employer Economic Forum, which engages with representatives of employers and trade unions on economic and employment...

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion: Cabinet Committees (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the work Deputy O'Sullivan has been doing on special education and can confirm that the Government will support the acquisition of that site. On the broader issue of the leaving certificate, things are not going back to normal, as Deputy Ó Riordáin has suggested. This exam will not be the same as that which would have been put together in 2018 or 2019 in that about...

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion: Cabinet Committees (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Irrespective of background, in terms of access to higher level, it is not who you know in this country. It is crude, I accept that-----

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion: Cabinet Committees (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and it needs to be reformed.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion: Cabinet Committees (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: That is not because of the leaving certificate and the Deputy knows that. That goes back much earlier-----

Legacy Issues in Northern Ireland and New Decade, New Approach: Statements (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Is maith an rud é go bhfuilimid ag labhairt faoin gceist seo inniu mar is ceist ríthábhachtach é ó thaobh todhchaí na tíre de agus an easpa dul chun cinn i gcomhthéacs an chonartha seo. It is just over two years since we reached the New Decade, New Approach, NDNA, agreement which restored to full operation the institutions of the Good Friday...

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion: Cabinet Committees (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputies for raising those wide-ranging issues. Deputy Boyd Barrett referred to the five families in St. Helen's Court and the challenges that they now face.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion: Cabinet Committees (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: They are facing eviction and will be in court on Friday. I do not know the specifics of what will transpire in the court case but, suffice it to say, every effort should be made to prevent eviction, particularly when families have real challenges in securing alternative accommodation, whether through the housing list or through the HAP system. There are rules governing evictions and the...

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion: Cabinet Committees (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do not know the specifics of why this-----

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion: Cabinet Committees (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The matter is before the courts. In my view, every effort should be made to prevent eviction. I do not know whether or not the local authority has been involved with the tenants. That should be pursued. Deputy Bríd Smith raised the issue of affordable social and rental housing. Councillor Daithí de Róiste was in touch with me about what has transpired in the past week....

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion: Cabinet Committees (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are many questions here.

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion: Cabinet Committees (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I take the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's point. Deputy O'Callaghan has been a consistent-----

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion: Cabinet Committees (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 to 30, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on education oversees implementation of the programme for Government commitments in the area of education, including the management of Covid in schools. This committee last met on 13 May 2021. It will meet again shortly. I have regular engagement with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss...