Results 16,061-16,080 of 50,297 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Programme for Government (2 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Government has been working hard to implement the commitments in the Programme for Government across a wide range of issues in all Departments. The ten Cabinet Committees established by this Government reflect the full range of policy areas that it will work on during its lifetime as set out in the Programme for Government. Cabinet Committees meet regularly to continue this work. Strategy...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Gannon raised the issue of mental health and wellbeing. I agree with the points he made. We discussed this earlier in the House. Again, it is a key issue, particularly in terms of young people. Any supports we can give, we will give. We will work with the Deputy and others in respect of that particular issue. Deputy Kelly raised a number of issues. We will work with the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Urban Development (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Funding has been provided to assist in the refurbishment of the swimming pool on Sean McDermott Street. Other supports are going into the area. I refer to the SWAN Youth Service, the detached youth work programme and the Green Ribbon Project, through which environmental clean-up and litter prevention measures are being rolled out. I refer also to the purchase of almost 500 laptops and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 15, inclusive, together. The Government recognises the importance of regular and open engagement with all sectors of society. As we enter the early stages of recovery from the pandemic and as we work towards reopening our economy and society we need to work together on a shared common purpose. This is particularly important as we face the enormous...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Projects (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----of single-use plastic and a range of other waste. Deputies Paul Murphy and Bríd Smith raised issues in respect of a four-day week. Again, I would love to see the economic model for this and a presentation on it. There is one major question that the Deputies did not put forward. Who would pay for all of this? How would all of this be facilitated? In politics we will be a...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Urban Development (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 9, inclusive, together. The Mulvey report, Dublin North East Inner City: Creating a Brighter Future, was commissioned by the Government and published in February 2017. The report contained recommendations for the social and economic regeneration of Dublin's north east inner city. The report has been further supplemented by the publishing of the next...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Urban Development (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Who was turned down?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Urban Development (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Who turned down the club?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Projects (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Local authorities need to respond. I agree with Deputy Kelly on that. We are successfully reopening society and the economy. The vaccination programme is making that possible, as is the adherence of the vast majority of people to guidelines for a prolonged period of time, which has had the desired impact of suppressing the virus or keeping it at reasonable levels. The vaccination...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has raised a very important question. It will be extended for the last time until September and it will not be extended beyond September. No workers will loose out. A scheme is being developed which will make sure that workers get their entitlements-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Yes. As this is unique, and it is in a pandemic environment, we want to make sure that workers are not disadvantaged and that neither are employers. It needs a bespoke approach to deal with the issue the Deputy fairly raised. It is a fair point. It has been a very difficult balance to get right throughout the pandemic. Workers have rights that have to be affirmed.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: We have invested very heavily in childcare this year, and in early years, not just through budgetary provision but also through the extension of the variety of support schemes-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----we have allowed for in today's plan. It has been quite substantial.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: We are extending the pandemic unemployment payment out to September and then gradually easing out of that into February of next year. The pandemic unemployment payment will have been in place for two years before it ceases. The overwhelming purpose of Government is to create employment opportunities for people who are unemployed or who are on the PUP. Very substantial resources are being...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Some 315,000 workers will be supported through the extension of employment wage subsidy scheme, for example-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Projects (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. My Department's 2021 resource efficiency action plan sets out a range of actions to improve the management of energy, water, material and waste resources within the Department and to increase sustainability awareness among staff. It also includes levels of energy and water usage and waste produced by the Department so that...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I must say the Deputy’s cynicism and the cynicism of her party is beyond disgrace. They pretend to work with people for years on a project, which they did on this one, and then, at the 11th hour, they do another side turn and try to create a new agenda, a new narrative, to try to demonise those in government and demonise other parties. Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street is in the possession...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am fed up with this kind of cynicism. It is absolutely disgraceful cynicism. It is similar to them voting against every single housing scheme that has come before councils in recent times, opposing housing on a non-stop, consistent basis. Are they for any development at all?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Coming from Donegal, the Minister is very well aware of those who need supports and he will continue that approach.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: As I said, I think we can deal with that issue when we come back. Likewise, the issues raised by Deputy Paul Murphy on the climate action Bill can be dealt with on Committee Stage. I am somewhat taken aback by the views of Deputy Shortall and Deputy Tóibín. Deputy Shortall was an advocate for zero Covid, as were many Deputies, and now they are questioning whether we should...