Results 14,721-14,740 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. It was raised earlier as well but Deputy Griffin has had a consistent interest in this. It is the intention of the Government to introduce a vacant property tax next year. The Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Act 2021 introduced by the Minister for Finance has enabled Revenue to collect certain information on vacant properties in the local...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: I spoke earlier with Deputy Murnane O'Connor and indeed I referenced the Deputy in terms of her campaign for a refuge centre in Carlow. With the Ministers involved, we will work on that to follow it through. On the LPT, my understanding is that local authorities would be able to retain the surplus but I can get further clarification for Deputy Hourigan on that. On Deputy Sherlock's...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. The parliamentary liaison unit in my Department assists the Government in its relationship with the Oireachtas. It works with the Office of the Government Chief Whip on issues that arise at the Business Committee and the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform, including Dáil reform proposals and amendments to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will engage with the Minister for Justice on this. I am aware that there were issues around those raised by the Deputy but it is not for any want of effort by the Department of Justice. I will take the matter up with the Minister and the Department.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: Inflation is a concern. The European Central Bank has indicated to us that it regards it as a pandemic-fuelled inflationary cycle internationally and that it still believes it will be short term. Legislation for the €100 rebate is expected very shortly, within the next number of weeks.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: The suggestions to provide legislation to create offences in respect of both of those merit the most serious consideration. Again, I will engage with the Minister for Justice. These are issues that might be pursued through the relevant Oireachtas committee in some detail because they are very important issues in respect of that wider debate. We should have a wide-ranging legislative...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: We need to assess these reports and do a little more analysis of them. The Oxfam report claims that the wealth of Ireland's nine billionaires has increased by €18 billion to €49 billion since the start of the pandemic. The report admits that as Oxfam does not have data on individual wealth holdings, it makes estimates. It starts by making estimates of aggregate wealth based...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will revert back to the union that has been representing the workers. This issue has not been raised with me but I will follow it up.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: Quite a number of Deputies, including the Ministers of State, Deputies Butler and James Browne, have been in touch with me on this issue and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Naughton, is also dealing with it. An absolute minimum number of aircraft is specified to be on standby for coastguard aviation tasking. That is a minimum requirement and bidders can propose...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, the Minister for Education is meeting the advisory group on State examinations tomorrow, which is important. She will discuss this issue with parents, students, teachers, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA and the State Examinations Commission, SEC. It is important that we provide clarity and certainty as soon as we possibly can.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Government acknowledges the contribution of our healthcare workers in particular and of all workers across the economy during the Covid-19 pandemic. They have faced many challenges and have risen to the task, especially in our health services among those caring for patients on the front line. There have been a number of waves since the original one, namely, the Alpha wave, the Delta...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: The public holiday broadly recognises everybody-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----and then there is a tax-free recognition payment of €1,000 for-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: Additional funding was provided this year-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: -----to Tusla. I will ask the line Ministers to engage with the Deputy to work through the details of that and to look at the areas the Deputy can identify to them where supports are required.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: I want to give due respect to those who raised issues as well, perhaps in the order that they raised them.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: In response to Deputy Mac Lochlainn, that report is quite damning. I do not think we can change the order this week. As the Deputy knows, there is a wider issue of legacy. There was also the commemoration of the Teebane massacre last week and the relatives there are looking for closure, with no one brought to justice there. The issue of "Person K" clearly requires focus of attention....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: On Deputy Mattie McGrath’s point, again, the best place for consideration of bail laws and the various issues he has identified and highlighted would be the relevant Oireachtas committee because, by definition, those are issues that we need detailed consideration of and reflection on. Many Members in the House would like to examine those issues but would rather do it in a detailed...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, we could have a broader debate on legacy generally. Collusion between British security forces and loyalism is, unfortunately, not new. We know about it, and there have been various investigations and inquiries. The panoply of intelligence operations in Northern Ireland, not just in loyalism but also in its relationship and engagement with republican paramilitaries, has...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2022)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the latter point in terms of those in nursing homes being able to make their houses available for rent. There have been issues - these have been argued to and fro - in terms of protecting people and safeguarding the rights of those who may be in nursing homes. That said, the overarching priority now is housing and the provision of all available units for the purposes of...