Results 14,321-14,340 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022: First Stage: Departmental Meetings (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: A Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 to 20, inclusive, together. The Secretary General of my Department has responsibility for the effective management and functioning of the Department which operates at the centre of Government. The core activities of the Department are set out in the statement of strategy and include delivering the executive functions of the...

Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022: First Stage: Departmental Meetings (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy McDonald raised a number of key issues in terms of memorialisation. There has been considerable engagement with survivors and former residents. Memorialisation is considered a very important part of the healing process for those affected and the State should progress the national memorial records centre. The Secretary General has chaired that group and funding has been secured. I...

Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022: First Stage: Cabinet Committees (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: In the first instance, I take Deputy Richmond's point. We cover the Brexit issue at the EU Cabinet committee as well and we have had meetings with the key Ministers and party leaders in the context of the EU and in respect of key moments for Brexit. I have met the British Prime Minister on the protocol issues specifically and made matters very clear. There was a very energetic engagement...

Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022: First Stage: Cabinet Committees (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy McDonald again raised the issue of Ava Cahill and the orthopaedic situation. Government is responsible overall for the delivery of healthcare. The point I was making earlier was that the funding has been allocated. A figure of €5 million is not an issue. I want to make that clear. Since 2018, which was before I came into office, to be fair, an extra €9 million had...

Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022: First Stage: Cabinet Committees (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have. On Deputy Calleary's point, the work on the stroke units was an important piece of work. Since stroke units came in well over a decade ago, they have been transformative in terms of the impact on survival from strokes, improvements and prevention. I heard the consultant on “Morning Ireland” this morning in relation to this. We will examine that audit. Those...

Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022: First Stage: Cabinet Committees (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I and many of the NGOs support intervening much earlier. I have dealt with Deputy Paul Murphy’s point in my response to Deputy McDonald. On Deputy Barry’s point, again the investment has been provided. Very often, this depends on how local management and regional management prioritise key services, as well as how they allocate the large funding that has been allocated to them....

Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022: First Stage: Cabinet Committees (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have a lot of experience in health. I have been a Minister for Health. Regularly, in various Oireachtais down through the years, people raise health issues-----

Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022: First Stage: Cabinet Committees (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: This goes on all the time.

Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022: First Stage: Cabinet Committees (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 15, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland was formally established by Government on 6 July 2020. It had its first meeting on 29 October 2020. The Cabinet committee last met on 4 March 2021. The meeting scheduled for Monday, 29 November 2021 had to be postponed. Relevant issues arising on Brexit and Northern...

Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022: First Stage: Cabinet Committees (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions No. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on health oversees implementation of programme for Government commitments in relation to health, receives detailed reports on identified policy areas and considers the implementation of health reforms, including Sláintecare. The Cabinet committee last met on Thursday, 9 December. It is currently...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: That last assertion is ridiculous. No one is gunning for anybody. The Government does not want to close any airport; it has no interest in closing any airport. The Minister amended the tender requirements for search and rescue to specify that four bases, in Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford, would be provided for. It depends on the lens through which one looks at things. I think the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: There are a whole range of constraints that govern aviation policy in terms of airports and so on.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The most important strategic investment in Waterford and the south east is the new technological university. That is the most important investment that will occur. It needs to happen, it will happen and it will be followed with investment.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The university is key in terms of leveraging more research investment, which it will. As a lifelong passionate advocate for education, higher education and research-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy spoke about strategic investment.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí (Atógáil) - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I would differ from the Deputy in that I would put far more emphasis on the necessity for the university.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister for Finance is looking at the fintech issue. A decision was taken by the Oireachtas in respect of taking competition out of the Central Bank's remit. There are issues in terms of bank competition in Ireland. We know that. There are other issues as well, but I do not have time now to go into the detail.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy that the importance of Kerry, in particular Killarney and Farranfore airport, can never be overestimated. The airport is very valuable and important to the economic development of the region and to the social life of the region. With the development of the Munster Technological University, there are great opportunities and synergies to be had in terms...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the points the Deputy has made. I think we should get on with this scheme. Migration policy is evolving. It is a very progressive and important scheme. We will continue to evaluate it as it is progressed and rolled out. It is a ground breaking scheme relative to how we have dealt with this issue in the past. Lessons can be learned as we roll it out and we can get greater...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (2 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the Deputy raising this issue. I know he has a life-long commitment to this area. In that context, I intend to bring to Cabinet shortly proposals for a citizens' assembly on biodiversity. It is absolutely critical that we move on this and that we move with speed and conviction. I intend to do that.