Results 13,741-13,760 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: We need to be crystal clear and consistent. This idea of attacking pro formaor in a formulaic way – I am not saying every Deputy is doing that - the Russian aggression and then pivoting to attacking NATO and other countries as being the real culprits is unacceptable. Morally, I cannot stand over it without calling it out. Too much of that has been going on in this House in recent...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy needs to stand up and be counted and call this out, without equivocating on it or trying to dilute it-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: To return to my main point, war crimes are being committed and the security architecture has changed because of Putin's actions. I listened to what the Tánaiste said; he referenced Irish military neutrality. Equally, however, the global system of a rules-based, multilateral order has been turned upside down by Vladimir Putin, and that has implications. One issue I observe is the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy needs to get real about people on the borders of Russia-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----what they are facing and the fears and anxieties they experience.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: Poland has accepted more than 100,000 migrants from Ukraine.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I think I have dealt with the issues raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett. To respond to Deputy Barry, I accept, that war crimes are being committed as we speak. All those within Moscow protesting against the Russian aggression should be freed. The persecution that is continuing against anyone who protests in Russia against Government policy is absolutely scandalous. I support the Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is as enthusiastic as ever.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is eager and he always has been.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 to 18, inclusive, together. My Department’s Strategy Statement 2021-2023, which was published last year, reflects the role of the Department to support me, as Taoiseach, and the Government in order to ensure a sustainable economy and a successful society, to pursue Ireland’s interests abroad, to implement the Government programme and to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: That is exactly what it is.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Deputies for raising these issues. In the first instance, I support NESC's work with regard to the shared island unit and the work it has done in terms of greater potential for cross-Border co-operation projects, particularly in respect of health, which has been one of the more effective cross-Border areas over a long time and, in particular, in respect of paediatric health...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and quite effective in terms of European wild bison, for example. A programme is being led from the wildlife park in terms of various species of toads. We need to be funding organisations like Fota Wildlife Park, Dublin Zoo and those which are involved in global interbreeding, breeding programmes around wildlife and protecting endangered species. That is what we need to be doing more...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I am not generalising. These are not-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I am just making the point. The Deputy specifically spoke about performance and productivity-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and he specifically spoke about the Irish public service and the issues he had with it. I wanted to give the Deputy the other side of that story. The vast majority of salaries and so forth are centrally negotiated with trade unions-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----throughout the public service, whether it is the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants or other unions, through national wage agreements. The most effective way to tackle high salaries is the income tax system, which is progressive in this country. It basically means that when one gets to a certain level, approximately 50% is taxed. That rarely gets said in the debate but it...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 11, inclusive, together. The National Economic and Social Council, NESC, advises me on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Ireland. The NESC work programme in 2022 includes five main areas. It will carry out a major piece of research and consultation on climate, biodiversity and how to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: On the points Deputy Tóibín raised, I will make the general point that Ireland has the most progressive taxation system in Europe and the world. The point of that is that those on high wages pay the highest amount of tax in this country-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Staff (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----which is how it should be. It is objectively regarded as a progressive taxation system. The Deputy referred to performance and productivity and I am a strong admirer of the Irish public service and have been for a long time. That is notwithstanding weaknesses, flaws and uneven performance at times but if one looks at the evolution of the Irish State over the last 50 or 60 years or...