Results 15,981-16,000 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: Sometimes deadlines on schemes are to get people to apply because, otherwise, it goes on forever and people do not apply. Deadlines provide a catalyst to get a scheme up and running and get it moving. I will talk to the Minister in that regard and also in regard to the other matters in terms of the thresholds by which a scheme is extended or not. I will get the background to that and I...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: Yes. Deputy Paul Murphy said the equivalent of the big oil companies are the big agribusinesses. I do not know who he is referring to.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: Who are they?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: But who are they?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: Is it the farmers?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am just wondering whether the Deputy was afraid to use the term “farmer” and he just used this ideological term “big agribusiness”.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: Who is an ordinary farmer? The language-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is it, is it not? That is the crux of the position Deputy Murphy takes all of the time but, actually, there are many farmers out there-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: In respect of my engagement with Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, that was in respect of the accuracy of what he said. He was simply inaccurate in what he said. He could not produce the quote. That is the point. I will challenge that when it is said. I have no recollection of ever saying that. I will tell Deputy Paul Murphy one thing: I think we need food security.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is a leader environmentally and probably far friendlier on emissions targets than any other country. We are world leaders in terms of being friendly. We can do better and we have to do better, but there is always a balance between food security and the climate agenda, and it is a challenging one. However, we need to produce food in Europe.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: We can see what is happening and, very often, how the balance changes. We look at Afghanistan. I was reading recently how Afghanistan in the 1970s was cosmopolitan and people were in far better condition. Look at Afghanistan today.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 to 21, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change last met on Monday of this week, 18 October, and a further meeting will be scheduled in the coming weeks. This Cabinet committee oversees the implementation of the ambitious programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment and climate change....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will inquire into the issue raised by Deputy McDonald, in terms of the background to this. That was an appalling, terrible tragedy which caused enormous grief for the families. I recall it well. In situations like this, it is important families do not get dragged into a situation where they have exorbitant legal bills arising from situations that are not in their control. The Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Minister has given a timeline in terms of that-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: He has not. There are measures relating to the affordable housing scheme, social housing, cost rental, homelessness initiatives and Part V initiatives. There is a comprehensive suite of measures that involve unprecedented State resources to deal with the housing issue. On Nadim Hussain, I ask that he cease the hunger strike. I do not think he needs to continue with it. I understand...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Calleary raised a number of issues. The programme for reopening continued without a hitch right up until this weekend. That is why there was no necessity for meetings. I had conversations with the Chief Medical Officer to keep track of progression. We are progressing well. Society has reopened effectively. The economy has bounced back with thousands more jobs and the number...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: In response to Deputy Paul Murphy's question, I strongly reject his assertions that the Government has been, in his words, "incredibly reckless" with regard to schools. The Deputy wanted zero Covid and who swore by public health advice. The Minister for Education has consistently followed public health advice in respect of schools, yet the Deputy just ignored it in his contribution.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy refers to the HSE and Government. Public health advice has informed the contact tracing decision and it will inform how each outbreak is dealt with. When the Deputy asks what it is, if not a school outbreak, outbreaks happen in communities too. If public health advice is being given to principals, I cannot second-guess it and the Deputy should not second-guess it, because he is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: Our fundamental objective has always been to get schools back because it is good for children. It is important for the development of the child-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Oct 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----to be in school with friends and learning and that we can provide for all aspects of a child's development, including emotional and intellectual. That is best provided in school. We are taking every step that we can, subject to public health advice, to make sure that that happens. We take that seriously. The public health authorities have engaged with the unions at different times of...