Results 14,021-14,040 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Sláintecare identified in priority terms that Cork, Dublin and Galway would have elective facilities. That was some years ago. It has taken a bit too long to develop these projects so I have told the Minister and the HSE I want these elective facilities developed. The most effective way to deliver them is on State-owned land, getting the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are important statements this week, first, on the commission on defence and, second, on the retrofitting initiative. I thought Members would have welcomed the opportunity to speak on those. The Opposition has three Private Members’ opportunities.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Opposition benefits from that as well. In previous times, there was only ever one Private Members’ opportunity so there are more opportunities in this Dáil and the last then there was historically in the House. There was a debate on legacy the week before last and we are committed to doing one on the ombudsman's report. In terms of the citizens' assembly, that is being...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There was some technical issue around the wording. I will come back to the Deputies on that. I am anxious to get it done as quickly as possible and it will be prioritised for next Tuesday. In terms of mink farming, I think it is the right policy. The mink is foreign to our biodiversity in many respects. As to fair compensation, the Minister has met with the farmers concerned. There...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I dealt with that on Leaders’ Questions. Generally, the Government view is that we want to create space for legislation and for the legislative functions of the Dáil in addition to just statements all of the time.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: We do need reform. In the progress report on Sláintecare that will be released later today, we can see all of the work in terms of more and more primary care centres opening, GP chronic disease management improving all the time and GP access to diagnostics. Some 135,000 radiology tests were delivered in the community in 2021. There is now national coverage of community intervention...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister met the team in Roscommon on the issue the Deputy referenced earlier. The point I am making is that I have heard nothing but positives about the manner in which the reconfiguration of Roscommon hospital has happened, as opposed to people just chasing the latest electoral stunt.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: It has happened for more than 30 years.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I am just saying it should inform debates as well across the country in other locations.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: A lot can happen.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, I thank Deputy Naughten for raising this very important issue. I also thank the Deputy for the research that he has commissioned. It is an interesting analysis, maybe I would suggest a preliminary analysis, in respect of long Covid that certainly will be part and parcel of the health service for quite some time to come and will be a significant challenge for clinicians for some time...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is wrong. We are not talking about looting anyone or any workers.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: A €630 million package of income tax and universal social charge reductions was brought in in the last budget and the Deputy opposed it. That is what we did in the last budget. We brought that in.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The other point I would make is that the measures we took benefit workers. Cutting electricity bills by €200 benefits workers.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The €125 lump sum for fuel helps those on very low incomes. The threshold for the drugs payment scheme coming down to €80 benefits workers, particularly workers and families with high medical bills. Capping school transport charges helps workers. Those are measures we took. The 20% reduction in public transport fares helps workers, particularly those getting the bus or train...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Actually, it has worked far better than the model the Deputy is proposing. Investment would flee the country; there is no question about that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Actually, there is almost full employment at the moment.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are nearly 2.5 million people working in this country.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Those are workers who are working because of a model that has involved foreign direct investment coming into the country over the last 50 years. That is something the Deputy opposes deep down.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has no time for it. It employs thousands and thousands of people and he tells me he is on the side of workers.