Results 16,041-16,060 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: The basic pragmatic response to any short-term problems that arise will be demand management. We will work with large energy users that have their own back-up power supply. That is how that issue will be dealt with. Secondly, there is a generation gap between 2022 and 2025 because planned capacity increases will not come on stream, while demand has increased more than expected. We have...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: First of all, I reject the assertions of the Deputy in terms of the essence of this Government's housing policy, which is very much focused on affordable homes, contrary to the position of the party opposite on affordable housing in recent years because it has consistently opposed home ownership. It has voted against every affordability measure at every turn. In particular, it opposed the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: We knew that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: It has not been a surprise all year.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cross-Border Co-operation (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Government’s Shared Island initiative is working 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 act as a driver and coordinator of this whole of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Communications (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: I spoke by telephone with Prime Minister Johnson on 20th July, in light of the cancellation of our meeting planned for the previous day, for COVID reasons. We discussed the Northern Ireland Protocol and I stressed the importance of utilising the EU-UK framework for issues related to the Protocol. The EU has consistently said it is ready to find flexible, practical approaches to address the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on Europe oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union and related issues. It generally meets in advance of a meeting of the European Council. It last met on 22 March 2021, in advance of the meeting by videoconference of the Members of the European Council on 25 March. Previous meetings of the Cabinet Committee on...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 to 41, inclusive, together. There is not a dedicated Cabinet Committee that deals with transport, rather transport related matters are discussed in a number of Cabinet Committees as appropriate. This occurs most usually at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment and the Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change. The Cabinet...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on the Environment and Climate Change last met on 1 July 2021 and will meet again 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. These commitments include those reflected in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Brexit Issues (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: In advance of his visit to Northern Ireland, I met with Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič for a working dinner in Government Buildings on 8 September. We had a very good exchange and I warmly welcomed in particular VP Šefčovič's planned engagement with political, civil society and business representatives in Northern Ireland. His openness to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (29 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: The total expenditure on external contractors and outsourcing for my Department was €543,161.31 in 2018 and €389,863.51 in 2019. There was no expenditure on consultancy services in this period. This expenditure is for a wide range of services including foreign travel management services; IT support providers; managed print services and cleaning services. My Department...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: My view is that if there is no alternative and the 72-year-old is hale and hearty, then common sense should prevail and provision should be made for it. In terms of a citizens' assembly on drugs, I will come back to the Deputy on that, because now that we are coming out of Covid, we might be in a position to accelerate that. We said we would identify three areas for citizens' assemblies....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will come back to the Deputy on the timelines around that. On Deputy McDonald's point about the progressing disability services programme, I will talk to the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, about what is essentially a real difficulty in the context of the programme. Resources are being taken out of existing special schools and then they are told that they should access those...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have made that clear to the HSE.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: On the final point, I do not know what the circumstances are that necessitate the travel from Limerick. It must be regulatory or relate to a particular aspect of the education programme. We are open to any submissions from the University of Limerick in respect of having that completed here or a liaison with the technological university. That is something we are open to having pursued....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Deputies who put questions to me in respect of housing issues. I will first deal with rents generally, which covers a number of the questions. On the issue of a rent freeze, the Government has been advised in the strongest possible manner that it is unconstitutional to introduce a three-year freeze. I remember years ago, before an election, Opposition Members put forward a...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am not paranoid at all about it. What I will say is that a lot of people across this House were involved in trying to bring this to a conclusion, along with a lot of people, across the party divides, in the council.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: Many people worked to get the project to where it is at now. If we go back again, there is no guarantee of a conclusion. It could take another ten to 15 years. That is a realistic perspective on it. The key issue Deputy Conway-Walsh raised in terms of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme is provided for, as I understand it, in terms of people who are divorced or separated. I will...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: There is a commitment to doing it.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (28 Sep 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 to 28, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on health oversees implementation of programme for Government commitments in regard to health, receives detailed reports on identified policy areas, and considers the implementation of health reforms, including Sláintecare. The committee last met on Monday, 14 December and is expected to meet again...