Results 15,041-15,060 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The period is 24 months.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have discussed this with the Minister for Defence. We want a strong and accelerated follow-through on the recommendations of the commission. It cannot be a report that is just left on the shelf. It has to be activated, followed through on and implemented. Obviously, we will have to see the nature of the recommendations and make an assessment of them, but it is critical to the country....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising a very important matter. On the question of Ukraine, there is a range of EU meetings tomorrow and Thursday, including an EU Council meeting. Ukraine and the position pertaining to Russia will be raised. We have already had preliminary discussions and preparatory meetings late last week in respect of that matter. It is entirely unacceptable that this type of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, the older age cohorts sequence is the established public health approach to the vaccination programme. In other words, those most at risk by dint of age, illness or underlying conditions are vaccinated first. That has always been the process.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Yes, but it also protects us against the worst the virus can do in terms of hospitalisation and ICU. It protects people who are more at risk of being severely impacted by the virus. That has been the case from the beginning of this pandemic. Older age cohorts and people with underlying conditions are most impacted by the virus, unfortunately. That said, we are hoping that we will shortly...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, there has been constant engagement with the IMO from the leadership of the HSE and indeed the Minister for Health has also been in touch over the week and before that to explore more ways to expand the number of vaccines that can be administered through the GP network and system. It is important to pay tribute to them and to all those who have worked in this area. Sometimes, some...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I was taken somewhat by what was said yesterday in Stormont by Deputy McDonald's colleague, the deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill. She said, "If ever there was a time for a united front on the public health message, it's today, because we are facing into a very, very difficult period in the weeks ahead". I make this general point across the House. It is a fair comment. That said,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Yes, we will.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, we are working through the three channels with regard to additional output, if we can, on the GP side, the pharmacies and extending the hours of the vaccination centres.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The acute hospital system has been told as well and has been engaged with in terms of reducing some activities with a view to engaging with the vaccination programme.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is not that simple.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I wish the Deputies opposite a very happy Christmas. I am off to the European Union Council meeting tomorrow, so I may not get the opportunity to do so then. I wish the Ceann Comhairle a happy Christmas and thank him for all his facilitation during the year and his tolerance and patience. I hope it can last another session. I thank the ushers, the Captain of the Guard and the team here...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will not take off Chris de Burgh.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Electricity usage in the Government Buildings complex, which includes the Department of the Taoiseach, is administered by the Houses of the Oireachtas. There is no further breakdown of electricity costs provided for the specific usage areas requested by the Deputy beyond the total electricity costs paid by the Department which was provided to the Deputy in answer to the question last week.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Attached is a tabular breakdown of the covid-related advertising spend from 1 January 2020 to 30 November 2021. Since March of 2020, my Department has co-ordinated communications for the whole-of-government response to the pandemic. This necessitated expenditure on a broad range of targeted public messaging across over fifty different information campaigns. The overall communications strategy...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: On the last point, I will talk to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine about the strategic plan. The Deputy is right about the need to do everything we possibly can to focus on what works and on food security in particular, which will remain a big challenge globally. That must be reconciled with the climate issues. Food security is still important and Ireland is probably one...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Widespread guidance has issued to employers and intensive care facilities have good air quality and so on. Ventilation is important and that has always been advised from the beginning of the pandemic. There have been arguments about the specific types of ventilation and I gave the Deputy SAGE’s perspective on HEPA filters yesterday, for example, which was interesting. Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: Given yesterday's exchanges, I think we are in favour of people being allowed freedom of expression.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I only have seconds left.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 18 together. The social dialogue unit, part of the economic division in my Department, co-ordinates and supports the Government's overall approach to social dialogue through a variety of mechanisms. These mechanisms includes LEEF, the labour employer economic forum, which engages with representatives of employers and trade unions on economic and...