Results 13,641-13,660 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I said that this morning.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: In response to Deputy Tóibín, I have not seen the report. His question related to the economic division in my Department. Suffice to say that throughout the Covid period there was, unfortunately, a retrenchment in services. We have provided additional resources to the HSE in respect of the hiring of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I know. It was about TEN-T funding, but that is not the core funding. The core funding is in the national development plan in respect of roads and public transport. A sum of €165 billion is being provided over the next ten years for investment in infrastructure in the west. The Deputy referred to the development of renewable energy in particular. The western seaboard will receive...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: Yes, that has been included in the all-island rail strategy review that the shared island unit in my Department is helping to fund in order to identify the potential in that regard. There has been very significant investment in the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, programme by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, in respect of many...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputies for raising the issues. In respect of Deputy Boyd Barrett's question in terms of the Amnesty report, Amnesty International is a respected NGO. I value the role it has played and the role other civil society organisations have played in relation to the Palestinian question. The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently examining the Amnesty report in respect of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: We have raised this at European Union level and at United Nations level. Indeed, the Secretary General of the United Nations has commended Ireland - he said it to me personally-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----in terms of its consistency in raising the Palestinian question as a member of the UN Security Council.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (2 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: That remains the case. Other colleagues across Europe have different perspectives on Palestine - the Deputy knows that well. Some are for historic reasons and others have different perspectives.

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.