Results 15,501-15,520 of 50,294 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy probably did it too.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The Truce, which marked the end of the War of Independence, came into effect on 11 July 1921. Recognising the significance of this date, an all-party Oireachtas committee in 1986 recommended that the Sunday closest to 11 July would be the most appropriate date upon which to have an annual national commemoration ceremony to commemorate "all...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Programmes (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: The points made by the Deputies concerning the need to more effectively and strongly commemorate women were well said and it is well merited. Turning to the events at Jadotville, I do not want to pre-empt the review, but I am familiar with the case. I met all those involved, I have seen the film about the events as well and have read about the background to all of this. I sincerely hope...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, I disagree with the Deputy's analysis. I will simply say that the activation programmes and the Pathways to Work programme that was launched yesterday are very significant, very well resourced and supported financially by Government with one objective, namely, to facilitate work and working opportunities for people, specifically younger people, to reduce the numbers of people in...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: We come from a different world. The Deputy looks at it through a parallel universe. To be fair, he has a different perspective.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I happen to think the activation programme will work and I believe in it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Lowry for raising this issue. I know a number of Deputies have also raised it with the Minister, Deputy Coveney. The passport service commenced the scaling up of operations on 4 May 2021 in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in the Covid-19 resilience and recovery plan. The service has been focused since then on four priority areas, namely, clearing the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I assure the Deputy that the passport service's goal is to continue to scale up operations after Covid-19 and to return to normal levels of service as soon as possible.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: As I said before, I am not aware if people have been in touch with my office in terms of a formal meeting and so on.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I said I would be willing to meet them. I have, of course, been in touch with the McCarthy family and I hope we get an opportunity at a future date to properly pay tribute to Dr. Seán McCarthy, who was an outstanding medical practitioner and GP, an outstanding sportsman who played for Tipperary and, of course, a wonderful Deputy, Senator and Minister of State. I hope we get that...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, as I have said, the core Government priority is to build houses, both social and affordable, and to release more State land to facilitate the building of houses and get more delivery in developing houses overall. In respect of HAP, that scheme has been there long before this Government was formed, going back, as the Deputy said, to 2014. It is a more expensive way than social...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue for people. She is always very close to the issues on the ground, to be fair. I will certainly talk to the Minister for Health and ask him to engage with the HSE, Bus Éireann and the Department of Education to make sure this gets sorted. People's entitlements should not in any way be curtailed because of operational...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have to say, regrettably, that since the Government was formed, on the issue of Covid and Government policy pertaining to it, the Deputy and her party have decided to take a divided and divisive approach, an incoherent and inconsistent approach. Whatever way the wind blows, they take that course. They take a Tadhg an dá thaobh approach. They are hunting with the hound and running...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: Sometimes they are for the opening of hospitality. A month later, they are for zero Covid. Other times they are for anybody being able to travel into the country. Other times they want mandatory hotel quarantine.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is time the Deputy got off the fence. Does she want hospitality to open, as she says she does? Then she should deal accordingly with the plans the Government has put before her to do it safely. The reason the testing is not there is because the public health advice is clear. We are following public health advice in respect of the vaccinated and non-vaccinated. The Deputy knows that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I again congratulate the Deputy on her election and I congratulate her campaign team. On these issues, the Government is very clearly focused and has already introduced groundbreaking legislation on climate justice and climate change, which I hope will get through the House this week. On housing, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has brought in very strong protection...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have been a long-standing advocate and supporter of RAPID programmes. Previous Fianna Fáil-led Governments were very strong on tackling area disadvantage and having a whole-of-government approach to it. I have asked the Cabinet sub-committee on social affairs to examine reintroducing a similar programme. I am working with the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, who is responsible...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is not my opinion. They are offensive. Do you understand what Nazism was about?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: Do you understand what the Holocaust was about?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Jul 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is what Nazism was about.