Results 13,901-13,920 of 50,151 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Attached is a tabular breakdown of the covid-related advertising spend from 1 January 2020 to 30 November 2021. Since March of 2020, my Department has co-ordinated communications for the whole-of-government response to the pandemic. This necessitated expenditure on a broad range of targeted public messaging across over fifty different information campaigns. The overall communications strategy...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: On the last point, I will talk to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine about the strategic plan. The Deputy is right about the need to do everything we possibly can to focus on what works and on food security in particular, which will remain a big challenge globally. That must be reconciled with the climate issues. Food security is still important and Ireland is probably one...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Widespread guidance has issued to employers and intensive care facilities have good air quality and so on. Ventilation is important and that has always been advised from the beginning of the pandemic. There have been arguments about the specific types of ventilation and I gave the Deputy SAGE’s perspective on HEPA filters yesterday, for example, which was interesting. Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Given yesterday's exchanges, I think we are in favour of people being allowed freedom of expression.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I only have seconds left.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 18 together. The social dialogue unit, part of the economic division in my Department, co-ordinates and supports the Government's overall approach to social dialogue through a variety of mechanisms. These mechanisms includes LEEF, the labour employer economic forum, which engages with representatives of employers and trade unions on economic and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy O'Reilly's question about the report on familicide and homicide was first. The justice plan for 2021 commits to publishing the independent research on familicide and domestic homicide reviews, which has been commissioned by the Department of Justice as an important first step in delivering on the programme for Government's commitment to legislate to introduce domestic homicide...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I said I would reflect on it. I am not clear where we can take it given the fact that the Garda and GSOC were involved. It is not for me to comment. I commend the Deputy on raising the matter. I know it is in the Village magazine as well, but I think the steps that can be taken are beyond my remit at this stage. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan raised safeguarding of vulnerable adults. He makes...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Commissioner gave his views at an Oireachtas committee.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 12, inclusive, together. The public service, justice and policing reform unit is part of the social policy and public service reform division of my Department. The work of the unit supports me, in my role as Taoiseach, on criminal justice, policing, community safety and related matters; incorporates the policing reform implementation programme...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry, but which review did the Deputy mention?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: With the INIS?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Deputies for raising these matters. Deputy Richmond raised issues around the protocol and Brexit. All efforts are continuing to be made in terms of preparation. To be fair to the Government, and the previous Government, Ireland has prepared well for Brexit compared to what is happening in the UK. That seems to be evident in the challenges many SMEs have had in the UK in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is already-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The homeschool programme has, as the Deputy knows, already been extended significantly.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am talking about the solution that the Deputy is suggesting. It needs to be realistic. The first port of call should be engagement with the principal of the local school regarding the educational needs of the child.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the sad and tragic situation of Trevor Deely and the fact that his family and the other families referred to have not received closure. All resources will made be available to An Garda Síochána and the relevant State agencies to pursue the issue.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I remember we were involved in getting it established and getting the momentum behind getting the new facility built. One of the major issues, notwithstanding the fact that we have recruited over 11,000 extra healthcare workers in the past two years, is that it still remains a challenge to recruit the necessary medical and nursing personnel to facilities. Again, we will work with the HSE to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will revert to the Deputy on the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The advice in this regard came from the Chief Medical Officer and NPHET. They are primarily concerned with the high levels of case numbers involving five- to 11-year-olds in particular. The recommendation was that mask-wearing should be for those aged nine plus. We will continue to keep this under review. We will continue to get feedback from the schools and evaluate this, but it is in...