Results 15,301-15,320 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is feigned outrage from the Deputy, all designed around the campaign. That is what he is at. I can see through him.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have this to say to the residents and homeowners. We are working on this. We have worked on it for the past year, as has the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: State Bodies (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) provides litigation, advisory and conveyancing services to Government Departments and Offices and to certain other State agencies. The CSSO also provides solicitor services at Tribunals and Commissions of Inquiry and represents Ireland at the Court of Justice of the European Union. The majority of legal cases the CSSO handles are cases taken against...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Seanad Reform (1 Dec 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Seanad has an essential role as part of our legislature and has always played an important part in the State’s politics by enhancing debate on the important issues we face. The all-party Seanad Reform Implementation Group published its report in December 2018, including proposals on implementation of the 2015 Manning Report. I commend the work done by the Cathaoirleach of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I remind Deputies that the original question was about the programme for Government. The key elements of that programme have been groundbreaking and significantly developed. Delivering Housing for All is the biggest State investment in housing in the country's history. I suggest that Deputy Cian O'Callaghan refer to the Minister with the specifics because the Minister is adamant that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: This involved court actions. People never tell the straight story here. The courts arbitrated on peat and anything we do must be in line with EU directives and EU environmental law.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have no difficulty with publishing the report, but Ministers are coming together to see if they can get a resolution to this for the horticulture sector. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked about the income thresholds. I understand his point about more discretion and flexibility in respect of the fuel allowance. I will talk to the Minister for Social Protection in that regard and to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am not finished yet. My apologies, but I am going in reverse order.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: To respond to Deputy Mac Lochlainn, we gave a fair bit of time to the defective block issue. It is a comprehensive scheme.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: We asked for specific submissions from parties, but the Deputy's party decided not to respond to the Minister.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Housing Agency is central to it.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Kelly raised the Limerick mayoral office and the election. We are working on the legislation and I take the Deputy's point. Certainly, 2022 has to be the time to get that legislation passed by the House and developed. In respect of masks for nine-year-olds, it has been advised that this will be required.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: It has been advised and it will be required. We are not going to regulate it in law with legal regulations. We have to work with children and be practical about this, particularly children with special needs.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I think I have responded to everybody.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have dealt with antigen tests all day. The important point regarding antigen tests is that up to 130,000 have been given out free through close contacts. I am sorry; I am wrong. Some 100,000 have been given for free to close contacts, 130,000 for food production and the agriculture sector and approximately 22,000 for higher education. They were all freely dispatched. Some 8,000 in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: The alternative would cost approximately half a billion euro if we were to make them free over 12 months. We have to allocate and use our resources wisely as well.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I did not get to every question. In response to Deputy Cian O'Callaghan, we are working on apprenticeships. There has been a big change in the new scheme we have introduced. Deputy Brendan Smith made a very good point on further education. There needs to be more structured co-operation and I am working on that through the shared island initiative. We are endeavouring to get the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Boyd Barrett asked about Clonkeen College. I will follow that matter up with the Minister for Education. Some clause in the 1998 Act has probably been invoked, and therefore a manager has to be put in place. That appears to me to be regressive. Let me follow through on that. I do not have the full answer here. I will alert the Minister for Education to the issue. Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Question Nos. 12 to 17, inclusive, together. The Government has been working hard to implement the commitments in the programme for Government across a wide range of issues in all Departments. The ten Cabinet committees established by the Government reflect the full range of policy areas that it will work on during its lifetime, as set out in the programme for...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (30 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, I noticed references in a lot of contributions to the Government having ended contact tracing or the Government having decided this or that. It was a decision the Government took at the time, on 27 September, following, and in line with, recommendations from NPHET, to cease routine contact tracing. It was public health advice.