Results 13,661-13,680 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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....

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

Micheál Martin: Bheadh an Rialtas sásta déileáil leis an gceardchumann ó thaobh na ceiste seo agus todhchaí na n-oifigí poist. Is léir go bhfuilimid sásta seirbhísí a leathnú amach. Mar aon leis sin, tá dúshláin an-mhór ann don todhchaí. Níl aon amhras faoi sin. Tá fonn orainn níos mó seirbhísí...

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

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. An extra €10 million was allocated for the passport service in the budget, which was an unprecedented investment in the service. Passport service staff numbers have increased by more than 300 since June of 2021 and additional staff will continue to be recruited, which will bring the staff numbers to more than 900.

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

Micheál Martin: No, it is not.

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

Micheál Martin: At the beginning of this month, the capacity of the passport service's public offices in Dublin and Cork increased-----

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

Micheál Martin: Is the Deputy going to listen?

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

Micheál Martin: I would if I got a chance.

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

Micheál Martin: I have nothing further to add.

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

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is not prepared to have a bit of common sense.

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

Micheál Martin: I will discuss that with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I hear the points the Deputy made in respect of that issue. The Minister is actively considering this and we are working on it.

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

Micheál Martin: In my days as Minister for Education, I was responsible for bringing in early intervention classes, especially language classes, in national schools, which proved to be highly effective in terms of outcomes for children with language difficulties, in particular, or other difficulties. I am a passionate believer in early intervention. I will discuss this with the Minister for Education. The...

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

Micheál Martin: The Deputy was correct in saying that the company received very substantial funding from Government through EWSS and other aviation supports, both for airlines and airports, during Covid-19. The airlines took a huge hit, as we know, throughout the pandemic. That has to be acknowledged as well. However, the successful way to retain good quality employees, staff and so on is to reward them...

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

Micheál Martin: -----and there are mechanisms. We do not engage here in operational decisions of companies but, clearly, from basic principles and values, workers' efforts should be acknowledged.