Results 13,981-14,000 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: To suggest that it is just carbon tax is simply not the truth. The story with the carbon tax is that we are giving the money back to the public in the form of the retrofitting scheme, where we will enable people to retrofit their homes which will lead to cheaper fuel costs into the future. We are giving money from the carbon tax to farmers for environmentally friendly farming programmes.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Additional income streams for farmers will arise from the distribution of carbon tax revenues. To protect against fuel poverty for those on low incomes and those depending on the fuel allowance, it enables us to make more generous provision in those areas, as we have done in the last budget and in the most recent package in terms of those in receipt of the fuel allowance.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The reality is that over the next decade or so, we will be moving more towards renewables. We will always need gas for the foreseeable future as a transitional fuel, but we will have to increase our renewable capacities into the future. Of that, there is no doubt. The current Ukrainian-Russian crisis illustrates that for Europe, not just for Ireland, more than anything else. It has caused...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I 100% agree with the Deputy. Of course, people should not be moved. What happened was very wrong and it should not happen. It is incomprehensible that it happened as recently as some years ago, which is my understanding in respect of the Brandon case. Accountability is built into systems, but people contest who is or is not accountable. People will argue and will say it is not them but...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising these issues, which are very serious and are taken very seriously by the Government. As the Deputy said, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has worked with him in respect of the Brandon report, which is a shocking and very disturbing report. What happened in that instance has caused enormous distress and hurt to the families involved. A national...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Does Deputy McDonald just say anything? Did she read the Secretary General's speech to the Oireachtas committee this morning? Where in that speech did she pick up-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----that he was not committed to Sláintecare? The presentations today reflect that commitment to Sláintecare but Deputy McDonald simply thinks she can come in and say anything and it does not matter whether it is true or not. She just comes in and says it-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and throws it out there. If you throw enough mud, it will stick seems to be her approach to what are very serious issues. Yesterday's progress report on Sláintecare shows very dramatic progress in a whole range of areas in respect of that plan. I referenced one, namely, GP access to diagnostics. The whole chronic disease management has resulted in about 220,000 consultations as...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----there is the reduction in regard to medical card prescriptions and there is improvement in access. There are challenges and legacies arising out of Covid that Deputy McDonald should accept because it is obvious. It is obvious to anybody watching the situation.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There has to be, and should be, accountability. I am not clear what the Deputy is proposing. These are very serious scandals in themselves, in terms of the Grace case and the case of Brandon and what transpired there. The Deputy referenced the south Kerry CAMHS. At this initial stage, I would put a question mark after the word "rogue". I think that is judgmental of the individual because...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Without question that there have been record attendances in our emergency departments over the last month. The situation is very challenging in many emergency departments across the country with those record attendances. What is more worrying is the preponderance or majority of those over 75 years are presenting to emergency departments with more...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Data (16 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: As Taoiseach, I regularly travel to participate in formal and informal meetings of the European Council, in Brussels and elsewhere. In keeping with the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy, I also place a high importance on engaging actively with fellow Heads of State and Government, both within the EU and more widely. I also use international visits to promote Ireland’s...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: In terms of online safety, very significant progress has been made. The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, as Deputy Ó Laoghaire will be aware, recently brought a memorandum to Government on that issue, in terms of establishing a commission - an online safety regulator. That was approved by Cabinet. There is a range of work that still has to be undertaken. It is a mammoth task...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----the multitude of ideas people have in regard to this. Very significant resources will be required for this. Also, the legislation is continuing apace, as the Deputy will be aware. We will deliver this in respect of the safety issue because it is very important for citizens in respect of the harm that can be done online to people. There is no question, in regard to bullying, in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There is a three-pronged approach being undertaken by the Minister in respect of the broader issue of social housing. There was a modest change recently in some counties, where the income threshold was increased, but not enough in terms of it not being a national decision. The Minister is continuing to consider that in regard to the income threshold for social housing.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Boyd Barrett raised the Russia-Ukraine crisis. He and Deputy Barry said they would be critical of a possible attack by the Russians on Ukraine.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I welcome that. However, the point is that I do not see that the roles of NATO and Russia are comparable. Some 130,000 troops amassed on the border is a fairly intimidating prospect for any country and it is not justified. There are security issues that Russia can justifiably seek assurances on and dialogue is the best way to do that. There are well-worn international mechanisms for such...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and should not be equivocated on either. There are issues in eastern Europe. We have the luxury of telling them how they should live and protect themselves but they are entitled, as democratic states, to organise their protection. They have fears and genuine vulnerabilities because of past experiences and we should acknowledge that. That said, sensible people should sit around a...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do. My view is that, generally speaking, the United Kingdom is our nearest neighbour and so we should get on with the United Kingdom and have a good relationship with it. Thankfully, in the last 30 years we have transformed relations with the United Kingdom, which is very positive. With regard to Deputy Ó Laoghaire's point, there is a long history with the UK and Ireland. We are...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 23, inclusive, together. The economic recovery plan, launched in June 2021, is helping to drive a jobs-rich recovery and support the transition towards a decarbonised and digital economy. It includes an overarching ambition of 2.5 million people in work by 2024. Crucially, these jobs will be more productive, innovative, resilient and in new areas...