Results 15,681-15,700 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 to 19, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment first met on 8 July 2020. It has met a total of 15 times, most recently on 30 September. The next meeting is scheduled for 22 November. Membership of the committee comprises the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Employment and Trade, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan spoke first and it was he who put down the basic question. I appreciate his contribution on the climate change issue because he has consistent and very strong views on the climate change agenda. We have a lot of work to do as a country to deliver upon our commitments. It will take the resolve of not only Government, but every Member of this House, to do the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: We would really need five minutes.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is the reality of the situation. I met with all those representing the sector even prior to becoming Taoiseach. There were a range of issues on the agenda. One was the Common Fisheries Policy but it was the Common Fisheries Policy that gave us the access to British waters which is now restricted because of the agreement between the European Union and the British Government in respect...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy did a lot of sloganeering but I heard nothing by way of-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is the same old stuff that has been going on for 30 years.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 11, inclusive, together. Issues relevant to the marine and fishing sector are discussed, as required, at a number of Cabinet committees. This includes the Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment, the Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change or the Cabinet committee on Europe, in addition to the Government co-ordination...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy McDonald raised the legacy matter. As soon as that was announced by the British I spoke to the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to say we were unequivocally opposed to such a proposal and that in our view, an amnesty is not acceptable for anybody who murdered anyone else in Northern Ireland. That applies to members of the British army, any state police or whatever. It also...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I dealt with the insurance issue earlier, but I will refer the points Deputy O'Donnell has made to the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, who can revert to the Deputy. He has made a fair point. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, replied earlier to the matter Deputy O'Sullivan raised. I am very empathetic with the issue of international surrogacy. There has been substantial work and...

Health (Inspection of Emergency Homeless Accommodation and Asylum Seekers Accommodation) Bill 2021: First Stage (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: No.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Brexit Issues (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together, The Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland operates in accordance with established guidelines for Cabinet committees and where appropriate, substantive issues are referred to the Government for discussion and approval. In general terms, the Cabinet committee oversees implementation of relevant programme for...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: As I said, I returned from the COP26 late last night and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, said he wished to discuss this issue with me later, so we will pursue that further. I am conscious of what the Deputies have said.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: There were some measures in the budget relating to the fuel issue. I will relate the Deputy's concerns about this issue to the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is my understanding, subject to checking the matter again, that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, is giving detailed consideration to this issue in respect of the various cycles. It is important to get it right as well. It is extremely important that we modernise our approach to relationships and sexuality education in our schools and do it in a comprehensive way....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. As usual, he is on the money in terms of the level of activity under way in this regard and on the challenges. The Revenue Commissioners' experience is that from the volume of activity the vast majority of homeowners want to do the right thing by filing their LPT returns on time as the deadline fast approaches. The helpline is exceptionally...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: One of the reasons we introduced the carbon tax was to provide ring-fenced funding-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----to enable us to deal with low-income groups and people who would require supports as a result of fuel poverty. That was the objective and that is what we are doing in the broader increases in social welfare announced in the budget. We constantly keep these issues under review. The Deputy raised a particular point, but it is not an anomaly as such. The eligibility for fuel allowance...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: Then there were broader increases in social protection measures to deal with a range of other issues.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have answered this question already and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, will discuss it with me later.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Nov 2021)

Micheál Martin: Throughout the pandemic there has always been a different approach adopted on the public health advice with regard to schools and activities outside the schools. That has been the consistent position. That does not necessarily mean that this should sustain here, so we will engage and the Minister of State has said that he wants to discuss this with me after this session.