Results 13,881-13,900 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is my position on it. On the issue of broadband, the Department and the Minister will deal with that this evening. Some 35,000 premises are currently ready for service. I have a whole list to hand but it would not be appropriate to go through it now. I make the point that the Minister will be here this evening to deal with the issue.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: There will be questions on it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: No.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The assistance we are giving to people to help with their electricity bills is a good initiative. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has developed this. We were anxious to do something in addition to the budgetary measures on tax relief, increasing the eligibility threshold for the fuel allowance as well as increasing the fuel allowance to give additional help to people faced with...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, I want to pay tribute to the sector, which I think has responded very well since we reopened society and sectors of the economy. Since the springtime, the construction sector has really rebounded, to be fair to it. From October to October, we are looking at approximately 31,000 housing commencements, which is a significant piece of work in terms of getting housebuilding back on track...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I acknowledge the Deputy's experience in the contracting world and so on. The Minister has responded to the issues. Contracts will now permit mutual cost recovery for material price changes of more than 15%. Therefore, where costs rise by more than 15%, the contractor can recover that. Measures have been taken in response to this issue. The balance always has to be struck between...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The period is 24 months.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have discussed this with the Minister for Defence. We want a strong and accelerated follow-through on the recommendations of the commission. It cannot be a report that is just left on the shelf. It has to be activated, followed through on and implemented. Obviously, we will have to see the nature of the recommendations and make an assessment of them, but it is critical to the country....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising a very important matter. On the question of Ukraine, there is a range of EU meetings tomorrow and Thursday, including an EU Council meeting. Ukraine and the position pertaining to Russia will be raised. We have already had preliminary discussions and preparatory meetings late last week in respect of that matter. It is entirely unacceptable that this type of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, the older age cohorts sequence is the established public health approach to the vaccination programme. In other words, those most at risk by dint of age, illness or underlying conditions are vaccinated first. That has always been the process.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Yes, but it also protects us against the worst the virus can do in terms of hospitalisation and ICU. It protects people who are more at risk of being severely impacted by the virus. That has been the case from the beginning of this pandemic. Older age cohorts and people with underlying conditions are most impacted by the virus, unfortunately. That said, we are hoping that we will shortly...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, there has been constant engagement with the IMO from the leadership of the HSE and indeed the Minister for Health has also been in touch over the week and before that to explore more ways to expand the number of vaccines that can be administered through the GP network and system. It is important to pay tribute to them and to all those who have worked in this area. Sometimes, some...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I was taken somewhat by what was said yesterday in Stormont by Deputy McDonald's colleague, the deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill. She said, "If ever there was a time for a united front on the public health message, it's today, because we are facing into a very, very difficult period in the weeks ahead". I make this general point across the House. It is a fair comment. That said,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Yes, we will.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, we are working through the three channels with regard to additional output, if we can, on the GP side, the pharmacies and extending the hours of the vaccination centres.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The acute hospital system has been told as well and has been engaged with in terms of reducing some activities with a view to engaging with the vaccination programme.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is not that simple.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I wish the Deputies opposite a very happy Christmas. I am off to the European Union Council meeting tomorrow, so I may not get the opportunity to do so then. I wish the Ceann Comhairle a happy Christmas and thank him for all his facilitation during the year and his tolerance and patience. I hope it can last another session. I thank the ushers, the Captain of the Guard and the team here...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will not take off Chris de Burgh.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Electricity usage in the Government Buildings complex, which includes the Department of the Taoiseach, is administered by the Houses of the Oireachtas. There is no further breakdown of electricity costs provided for the specific usage areas requested by the Deputy beyond the total electricity costs paid by the Department which was provided to the Deputy in answer to the question last week.