Results 1,501-1,520 of 49,960 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is good news all around.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The power up grant announced as part of the budget builds on the successful increased cost of business scheme that this year has paid out some €244 million to more than 75,000 businesses right across the country. The power up grant now has a budget of €170 million. Qualifying businesses will receive a grant of €4,000. More...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Brandon Roche. It is a very sad situation for his family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Prevention is the key in terms of mental health more generally, but it begins earlier in life. The most important programmes are the social, personal and health education, SPHE, programmes in primary schools where children build...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: We must continue to do that. I pay tribute to all of the search and rescue teams and organisations, some of which we fund, including the Civil Defence and others across the board.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: It is a sad situation. We must keep working on it. Investment has increased but it is a societal issue as well.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I agree that Tipperary is a most noble county, and a beautiful one, but on the specific issue Deputy McGrath references, the Government has taken a position that in the future it does not want hotels to be used for the purposes of housing asylum seekers. Hotels in towns in particular are a vital piece of the tourism infrastructure. We are endeavouring to create State-owned facilities and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have met with relatives. I attend the ceremony every year.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will meet them. There has never been an issue with meeting Relatives for Justice.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been very helpful. I have been supportive of the work of Relatives for Justice. They certainly have not been stonewalled by the Irish State. I am very clear on that. The Irish Government has led the way in trying to put pressure on the British Government to release particular material and files on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I am still committed to it,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am not playing elections with them.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his question. I also pay tribute to him for his outstanding contribution to this House as a parliamentarian over many years. He has always been attentive, dutiful and informed on the issues of the day, be they domestic, European or international. His consistency and application are exemplary. Perhaps Deputies in the new Dáil could follow his example in terms...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I do believe in debate and discussions; I always have. I have engaged in them. By the way, I think it is good that the Government has gone full term; I have been very consistent on that. It allows us to do policies on a medium- to long-term basis which is good for the country. I think having elections every two years would be bad for the country and would be disruptive. I note the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I have been involved in more debates than the Deputy ever has been. I have no problem with debates and I hope that debates can be organised but I do not govern all that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I acknowledge what the Deputy has said about the US presidential election. Given the strength of the economic relationship between the United States and Ireland it is a very important relationship. More than 200,000 jobs are provided by US companies in Ireland directly, with many more indirectly. Irish companies provide approximately 100,000 jobs in America and more indirectly. This...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I will discuss it with the Deputy. There are no big surprises in what has been identified.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: Generally speaking, when talking to people we find they do not feel as safe in urban environments, particularly at night, as they once would have. Many factors are responsible for that in cities and in towns across the country. Obviously, Covid interrupted training in Templemore and recruitment of gardaí and we would have loved to have recruited more gardaí. There are also other...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am talking about cities in general; the Deputy mentioned cities in general. Of course, I work most, if not all, of the week here in Dublin. I have a great affection for Dublin. I like Dublin and I walk a lot around Dublin. The task force report has been produced and the city council has resources. The various local authorities around Dublin have substantial resources. We will continue...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: I am not aware of the specific site. However, from the beginning of this Government, we have been determined to bring about a step change in the number of social and affordable homes that would be built in the country and we have done that compared with what was done in the previous number of years. As I said earlier, 12,000 social homes were delivered last year, approximately 8,000 of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: -----and acquiring state land.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Nov 2024)

Micheál Martin: The planners in the local authority should deal with a situation like that. If the Deputy is saying there has been a fundamental breach of the planning laws, it should be dealt with. The planning laws should be enforced and that is a matter for the local authority. It should get on and do it.