Results 13,821-13,840 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality has met on 20 occasions since February 2016, as follows: Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform met on 7 occasions between February 2016 and May 2017 - 4thJuly 2016 - 15thSeptember 2016 - 27thOctober 2016 - 12thDecember 2016 - 6thFebruary 2017 - 10thApril 2017 - 23rdMay 2017 Cabinet Committee B (Social Policy and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (1 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I visited Berlin for a one-day programme of events on 22 February. I met with German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz. We discussed the extremely concerning situation in Ukraine which has deteriorated significantly since our meeting. Ireland stands with our EU partners in making clear that there can be no compromise on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The invasion by Russia...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Good Friday Agreement (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I join with Deputies in expressing my deepest sympathies to the wife and family of Christopher Stalford who passed away at the weekend. On the Government's behalf, I conveyed our sympathies personally to Jeffrey Donaldson and the wish that they be conveyed to his family. All of us in public life know that politicians experience enormous pressures. Words will not console his family on this...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Good Friday Agreement (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: We need to fully work the Good Friday Agreement. That is why I regret the decision of the DUP to withdraw the First Minister from the Executive. Regarding Deputy Barry's point, the Executive is there to carry out existing work. I have not had a chance to talk to the First Minister or the Deputy First Minister about the issue that the Deputy raises. It is primarily a matter for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Good Friday Agreement (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have not had an opportunity yet, given the events that have happened. The Oireachtas does not interfere in the courts.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Murphy said it should pull back troops and deployment in eastern Europe. I refer the Deputy to an article written in the Financial Timesby the Prime Minister of Estonia. If the Deputy reads that article he will understand why if he lived in Estonia, Poland, Latvia or Lithuania he would never want to be alone again. That is the phrase the Prime Minister used. Her grandparents were...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The security issues can be resolved and people want to resolve them. The European Union wants to resolve the security concerns that Russia may have. They can easily be resolved and we discussed that yesterday with the Chancellor. If those issues can be dealt with, there is no need for this incredible militarisation that NATO has had no hand, act or part in.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will follow that up with the Minister. I do not accept the analysis of Deputy Conway-Walsh. We may come back to that another time.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have to have due respect for the Ceann Comhairle.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Exactly.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Good Friday Agreement (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Question Nos. 16 to 24 together. Through the Government's shared island initiative, we are working to engage with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future and to take up the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance co-operation on the island. Our objective is to work across the whole-of-government in all-island partnerships...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: It was not scripted.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: It was verbal. A number of people told me that yesterday.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy McDonald's spoke about the trade with the illegal settlements, and she also raised the Ukraine issue. Ukraine will be the dominant feature here. With regard to the illegal settlements and the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill, legal advice has been issued around the competency of the European Union to govern trade policy of the EU and third countries. That is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputies for raising the issues they have raised. With regard to the Stardust inquest, I met relatives at a recent event. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation commissioned a memorial for all those who lost their lives in the Stardust inferno and tragedy. We had a meeting afterwards. The Government has provided resources and amended the free legal aid framework to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: And they said it was inadvertent. It is a matter then for GSOC if it wishes to take it up, or if people wish to refer it to GSOC. That is why GSOC is there. Where we have agencies such as GSOC and others they should be used to pursue issues of this kind to get them dealt with and to get early closure in respect of such issues. We have put a lot of resources behind enforcement agencies and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 15, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on Europe oversees implementation of programme for Government commitments on the European Union and related issues. It generally meets in advance of a meeting of the European Council. The Cabinet committee discusses the agenda for European Council meetings, as well as other programme for Government...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do not disagree. It has always been the bane of politicians' lives that they could not get a pitch or access to a hall, particularly in State-owned schools such as the ETB schools, formerly vocational education committee schools. I was struck by the number of school and club partnerships in the recent sport applications for funding that got funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture,...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (23 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, and 55 together. A Policing Service for our Future is the Government's plan to implement the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. As recommended in the commission's report, implementation of the plan is being overseen by a dedicated programme office in the Department of the Taoiseach. The policing reform...