Results 15,401-15,420 of 50,294 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Functions (27 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 7 and 8 together. The Government’s Shared Island initiative aims to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding on the island, engaging with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future. I established a Shared Island unit in my Department to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Brexit Issues (27 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I spoke by telephone with Prime Minister Johnson on 21stJuly. We discussed the Northern Ireland Protocol and I indicated that the UK Government’s statements on the Protocol, to be made at Westminster the following day, would be carefully considered. I also stressed the importance of utilising the EU-UK framework for issues related to the Protocol. The EU has consistently said it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am just making the point. This is an industry which is very mobile. There are clearly challenges in the modern era in respect of it. Individuals would need to be consulted as well to ascertain their desired outcomes. However, there should be no blacklisting of individuals who take a stand or who have a particular perspective on issues. That should not happen. I can see the complexity...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I dealt with that when I addressed cross-Border issues.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together. The economic division in my Department supports me and the Government in developing and implementing policy across relevant areas to support sustainable economic development, including job creation, infrastructure, housing and climate action, and social dialogue. This work is particularly focused on ensuring a co-ordinated approach to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: On Deputy O'Reilly's points, the Government is very focused on skills, reskilling and investing in human capital. That applies to HGV drivers and the road haulage sector as well. I have no doubt the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, and others will engage with the sector if we have to develop...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: We have not pushed them over a cliff. We have extended these schemes through the majority of 2021, right out to 2022.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: As I said, we must also invest in the economy and get things moving, which we are doing. We are reallocating resources to support investment opportunities and create new jobs, which will help the sectors the Deputy mentioned.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy O'Reilly is correct with regard to the well-being framework and the redeployment of child psychologists to the vaccination programme. That should not be the case now. We have an independent work force in respect of vaccination. There may be certain people at senior level who were deployed and who played a management or co-ordinating role in respect of some vaccination centres,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am okay with that.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate that. It was important to the Deputies who raised those two matters that I deal with them at some length. Deputy Boyd Barrett raised a question about St. Mary's parish hall in Booterstown. Deputy Devlin has a particular interest in the matter. I cannot get involved in every case in every school in the country but I take the point and think we should be doing everything we...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy must appreciate that I cannot sort out every interaction.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Kelly raised a key issue. I agree that we must engage with the social media companies in respect of the appalling racist abuse online because it is unacceptable. I engaged with the companies prior to becoming Taoiseach. I salute the Dublin team the Deputy mentioned for walking off the pitch. That is the kind of initiative we require to deal with this, once and for all. What...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 12, inclusive, together. The National Economic and Social Council , NESC, is an independent statutory agency operating under the aegis of my Department. The role of NESC is to analyse and report on strategic policy matters relevant to Ireland's economic, social, environmental and sustainable development, and to advise Government. I appoint the members...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: On Deputy Paul Murphy's question, what he has articulated would represent a shocking abuse of power. I do not have the full context or story behind it but he said it went to GSOC and other avenues. The Garda has dedicated units within counties to deal with situations like this. It is clear to me that there are avenues for people to deal with the abuse of power. One of the issues in the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I accept what the Deputy is saying. There clearly is a problem there. We have provided resources but in these situations, there should be a far faster response in terms of equipment needs, aids and appliances. If the Deputy could send me on the details I will try to ascertain what is wrong. I do not disagree with what he is saying.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue. He has a long track record in being innovative in this area and suggesting sensible technology-based alternatives that could help the overall situation with organic waste and so forth. I will follow up on this. There should be more pilot projects and finance and resources should be made available to facilitate projects of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on social affairs and equality and the associated senior officials' group oversees implementation of programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy, equality and public services, including matters relating to justice, policing reform and community safety; arts and culture; children;...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy regarding what he has said. As he is aware, the Department of Social Protection suspended the issuing of letters to customers whose public service cards, PSCs, were due to expire from 20 March because of the closure of the Department's offices under the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. However, an agreement with the National Transport authority, NTA, and transport...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: Is the Deputy saying the issue is the planning application?