Results 13,841-13,860 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has raised a very fair point. There could be evidence of some price gouging going on but, clearly, there is a broader issue of an increase in fuel prices, which is receiving the Government's active attention right now. I take the Deputy's point and do not disagree with the need to be vigilant to make sure price gouging is not occurring.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, I refer to the reports of Paul Cunningham of RTÉ from the Polish-Ukrainian border. As a correspondent with experience covering a number of wars, he has said he cannot get over the comprehensive and very efficient response of the Polish authorities to an enormous migration of Ukrainians into Poland. Nobody would tolerate or accept any racism being applied to any migrants, but we...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: There has been an extraordinary response overall to the crisis.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister is meeting with the farm organisations. There will be a need to grow grass and make sure we have enough animal feed for next year. We will take no chances or shortcuts. There will be a very challenging environment ahead in terms of animal feed and global grain supply. It makes sense that we change tack in terms of our agricultural portfolio and, working in partnership with...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: We have no death wish against anybody, particularly not the postmasters and post offices of Ireland. We are doing everything we possibly can to sustain and support them and will continue to do so.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: Ní aontaím leis an Teachta go bhfuil sé maslach in aon chor. Tá an-chuid ama don Fhreasúra chun ábhair éagsúla a chur os comhair na Dála agus iad a phlé. Tá an seans sin ag na Teachtaí chomh maith leis sin. On International Women's Day, the imperative, for me, is that we build a modern maternity hospital that can cater for the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: Hold on a second. Those involved are not convinced that the Act is perfect or will do what it says on the tin.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: Leaving that to one side, we have no objection to facilitating its passage. I think the Deputy wants pre-legislative scrutiny waived and he will meet the Minister tomorrow to discuss that. I do not have an issue with that now. Deputy Joan Collins should bring the matter she raised forward in Private Members' time.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: Every week there are calls for debates on a range of issues and we need to allow Government time for legislation.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is a tight week and everybody wants statements on different items. It happens every day in the Dáil.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister will bring this to the Government in the coming weeks and we will have a decision on that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: This is an informal meeting.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: As I said to Deputy McDonald earlier, the Government is aware of the issues with regard to rising fuel prices and acknowledges the enormous impact these increases in energy prices are having on people in terms of going to work, heating their homes and so on. The matter is under active consideration by the Government.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government will respond. To respond to Deputy Mattie McGrath, we are certainly not sleepwalking into this. This war is 13 days old. It is having, and will continue to have-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government responded to the cycle of inflation induced by the pandemic with a budget package of €500 million. The war is going to mean a lot more inflation. It will mean that life will not be quite the same as we thought it would be, at least for 2022. That is all I am saying.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government will respond to this. To respond to Deputy Barry's comments, this is an informal meeting of the European Council hosted by the French Presidency. Conclusions will not be drawn from it. I would not be as conspiratorial as the Deputy about it. On the one hand, it will deal with a number of issues pertaining to the strategic compass. On the following day, the economic...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: We facilitated that Act on Second Stage. I have no issue with lifting-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising those issues. We have maintained contact with the Ukrainian Government. I spoke last week to the Prime Minister, Mr. Denys Shmyhal. On behalf of everybody, I committed our continued humanitarian support and, in terms of the sanctions, our full support of a very proactive policy on sanctions to act not just as a deterrent but to try to put pressure on the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: We were recently elected to the United Nations Security Council, which is about as good a benchmark for our credibility in the international world as anything I can think of. That is because we have pursued an independent foreign policy as members of the European Union, the greatest characteristic of which has probably been our nuclear non-proliferation initiatives. This began with the then...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Mar 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----in respect of what has now happened.