Results 15,941-15,960 of 50,294 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: To respond to Deputy Gannon's point on compassion, I have a lot of sympathy for this. When I was Minister for Education and Science 20 years ago, I tried to introduce an alternative approach for someone who suffers an appalling bereavement or trauma in the middle of the leaving certificate examination. To be fair, at the time the view of the examinations section was it could undermine...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: There were other queries from Deputies, but I can only deal with them within the time I have. Deputy Boyd Barrett raised the taxis again. Through the Chair, I do not believe that what the Deputy has said is fair. A package was announced last week that dealt with the issues as raised with me in a meeting. On the extension of the requirement to replace a vehicle to 15 years, people wanted...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: But 15 years was not mentioned. I stand to be corrected but I do not believe that 15 years was identified at the meeting. On the access to bus lanes, this has been agreed. I have gone back on numerous occasions to double check. The delegation asked about this in the context of BusConnects. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, was clear that they will have access on the arterial routes...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----in addition to the supports already there.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 18, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on education oversees implementation of the programme for Government commitments in the area of education, including preparing for post-Covid education. This Cabinet committee last met on 13 May and discussed topics including special education policy in schools, the broader legislative framework governing...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: It will be helpful to all the other Members.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Kelly raised the question of aviation and made a very fair point. The Government is very clear about the importance of connectivity for our economy and society. I have said repeatedly that we are a small, open economy and society. Covid-19 has hit us hard. We have provided a direction of travel, so to speak, for resuming travel in a structured way from 19 July, arising from our...

Ceisteanna - Questions: British-Irish Co-operation (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputies for raising those various issues. Deputy Brendan Smith has been a very strong advocate for the Stanley and Reilly families for many years regarding the murder of their loved ones, Patrick and Geraldine, in the 1972 Belturbet bombing and also in respect of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. The information about the Nottingham University research which the Deputy referred to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 10, inclusive, together. My Department's new statement of strategy, published earlier this year, reflects the role of the Department to support me, as Taoiseach, and the Government to develop a sustainable economy and a successful society, to pursue Ireland's interests abroad, to implement the Government's programme and to build a better future for...

Ceisteanna - Questions: British-Irish Co-operation (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. I met with the Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson, in Chequers on Friday, 14 May. We had a constructive engagement across a number of issues. Our discussions focused on ways our two Governments can continue to work together to support all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and promote peace and prosperity on both a...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Proposals are being worked on with regard to that issue. My understanding is that something similar to the company law review process, which was established many years ago and has proven to be very effective in the area of ongoing company law review, may be developed in respect of employment law review. I will revert to the Deputy with more substantive information and details on that. The...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Government is absolutely committed to Shannon Airport, Cork Airport and all the airports and ensuring we can protect them, particularly given the impact of Covid-19. Deputies and Senators should always reflect on the policies they announce one month as opposed to what they announce the second month. I am amazed at how everybody who was advocating for zero travel has suddenly had a...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I absolutely agree. Government agencies will engage with the company because they are high-quality jobs. They are important jobs that we want to retain in the country and the region. The whole area in question has been very effective in creating jobs relating to aviation. The Government will do everything we can to be of support to ensure the retention of jobs.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Government has provided very substantial capital moneys through the Department of Justice and Minister for Justice to An Garda Síochána in respect of the capital requirements of An Garda Síochána, including Garda stations. The Garda Commissioner has operational authority in terms of the deployment of those resources. I understand fully the needs of County Meath and...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for conveying his thanks to the Government for working to restore services in very quick time between Dublin and Kerry. I am fully aware of the importance of Kerry Airport to enterprise in Kerry and surrounding areas. It is an enterprising county. Kerry technology park in Tralee, for example, has some very groundbreaking companies. Killarney tourism is probably the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy says the report should be repudiated but it is complete. When the Oireachtas decides to establish a commission of investigation, it decides from the outset that it cannot interfere or interrupt the investigation. The report has been produced and covers mother and baby homes and the county homes from 1922 to 1998, a span of 76 years. The report is approximately 3,000 pages long....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should not keep interrupting. We want to implement quickly the recommendations from the report. I am clear that the vast majority of people are anxious that we get access to information, including birth certificates. The birth information and tracing Bill has been published. The legislation relating to Tuam is important, as is the redress scheme. The Government is focusing on...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is absolutely not the case. The Tánaiste has published these proposals and there will be continuing engagement with the social partners on the matter. There has already been engagement. We want to advance, modernise and improve the situation as it applies to redundancies and situations arising out of liquidations. We also want an improved situation more generally to protect...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Urban regeneration and development funding has been strong for Waterford, in particular, and for wide areas in the south east. I am not convinced that an agency, as outlined by the Deputy, would be the best model to deal with the issue but we are open to all proposals for developing increased economic activity in the south east. The south-east technological university is an advance that...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: My understanding, from the relevant Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is that the reopening and restarting of those centres is under way. I will follow up on that. Given the success of the vaccination programme, those facilities can be restarted. I will engage with the Minister of State on the matter.