Results 14,441-14,460 of 51,063 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do not like having to do that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy keeps going on. I do not like having to do that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do care.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: It seems the only people who can call foul, criticise or say others have created a scandal are those in the Sinn Féin Party. I am telling home truths.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I do not like doing it. I have to do it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: What went on in respect of the Department of Foreign Affairs event was the wrong thing to do. Those involved are public servants involved have given long service to this State. They have admitted they were wrong and have apologised for one minute's breach of the social guidance. It pales into insignificance by comparison with what Sinn Féin organised. That is the bottom line. That...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, there are questions this evening-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Minister for Education will be in the House this evening-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----to answer questions on the leaving certificate. We will talk to the Whip to see if, at some later date this week, a debate can be organised on the leaving certificate. I take Deputy Denis Naughten's point that a debate, where people can bring their different perspectives to the table fully, would be useful and important. I have no issue with that. The Minister will be in the House...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Michael Collins raised the issue of the work of our fisherman in respect of their diplomacy with the Russian ambassador. I understand that one of the key fishermen involved thanked the Minister, Deputy Coveney, for his intervention. Apparently, they were at one regarding the successful outcome of the representations made by the Minister and our fishermen.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is the rationale behind the general policy. We do not want individuals or couples competing with the council all the time to buy a house. That is the balance that has to be achieved here. The primary focus we want from local authorities is to concentrate on getting social houses built directly. We need more housebuilding on all fronts. This includes the private sector, agencies like...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: Yes. I will talk to him about what the Deputy has raised as well.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, Deputy Doherty has called on me, I think, to instigate an independent investigation into what happened in the Department of Foreign Affairs when we won our seat on the UN Security Council. I am satisfied with the investigation that has taken place and I will not be doing that. While I was not in government at the time, I have been very clear since this event was brought to my...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have not seen the detail of the particular case but what the Deputy read was that the council told the Minister it did not feel it came within the priorities. There is an issue of why it did not feel that was the case. However, it clearly does now.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I can appreciate that. It is good for the family that it happened. Remember there was a debate here almost a year ago on acquisitions. People in this House wanted ordinary people to be able to buy houses in estates without being outbid by the councils or institutions.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Joan Collins for raising the issue and am glad that the particular family's situation has been resolved, with DCC now facilitating the purchase of the house. I think the Deputy said there were two children with special needs in the house. Commonsense and flexibility should always apply in situations like this. Councils have flexibility. The target this year is for 12,000...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate where the Deputy is coming from. Ability West does exceptional work. It is a broad-based organisation, covering a range of services, including day, respite, residential, outreach and multidisciplinary support services, for both children and adults with intellectual disabilities. That is acknowledged. The challenge facing Government is the difficulty in drawing clear...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, I acknowledge the reports of the ombudsman and the special rapporteur in terms of their conclusions and observations in respect of children and students from certain backgrounds without access to technology or other factors. The impact the pandemic had on them was particularly profound. Not all students do the leaving certificate applied but for the cohort doing the leaving...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. As he correctly said, in recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and, indeed, all workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to Covid-19, the Government announced last week a once-off public holiday that will take place on Friday, 18 March this year, and a new annual public holiday...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, it is about that very point of fairness. If one had proceeded on historic profiling to get an accredited grades system, that would have disadvantaged those disadvantaged students even more than is the case now. Students were very concerned about a number of things. One was grade inflation and that there would be a comparison with last year's results and outcomes in terms of grade...