Results 16,141-16,160 of 50,297 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: We have got to look at other initiatives, including environmental initiatives, both to increase incomes for farming and to maintain the backbone of the direct payments system, which is key to farmers. We understand that. The direct payments system is absolutely essential as a backbone for farmers to underpin their projections and sustainability from an income perspective into the future.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I always have to fundamentally disagree with this label "the establishment". Every Deputy in this House is elected at every general election. I have equal respect for all Deputies by dint of the fact that they have been elected. It is too easy a label to throw out there and it is deliberately done to undermine people, when we have a strong, functioning democracy in Ireland compared to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Irish taxation system is one of the more progressive, globally. Those who earn the most, pay the most. The overall taxation framework in Germany is much more onerous than is the case here if one takes all the social insurance and contributions that have to be made into account. The Deputy is not comparing like with like there. If he is advocating that we leave the EU, I disagree with...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: We have made the position very clear. There are schemes in place. Last evening a scheme went through in Fingal. It has been in preparation for quite some time. There was opposition to that, again, and that is the point. The Deputy's party opposed it.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: If we keep on opposing every single housing project that comes before us-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: We have to get supply up. Everybody in opposition, including the Deputy, says this is an emergency. Yet, they seem to think we have the luxury of voting everything down at the last minute when the project is before the council and all of the negotiations between council officials and other parties have been finalised. The scheme to which I refer includes over 230 social housing units and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very topical issue, as the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is currently in Brussels working on CAP. Of course, this Government did not introduce convergence. That is the first point. The focus of the Deputy's contribution was on this Government. This is a centrally mandated approach across the European Union and from the European...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I would point out to the Deputy that 19 EU countries are fully converged right now. Ireland is not.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: As I said, the Cabinet sub-committee on economic recovery will be meeting in the next number of days to discuss the national economic recovery plan. Part of that plan will focus on the digital transformation and jobs in the new green economy. It will also be focusing in on the medium-term framework for particular sectors that have suffered more than most as a result of the pandemic and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy of raising the issue of housing which is the key social issue of our time and of our generation. First, there is nothing wrong with the direct-build model. I want to see more direct build and I am supporting more direct build. We are saying Government wants to develop that. The housing assistance payment, HAP, scheme, the Deputy referred to, has been in place...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the Deputy's acknowledgement that progress is being made on dealing with the Covid crisis and that the plan is working in terms of the steady cautious reopening of society as the vaccination programme successfully rolls out with great momentum. A total of 96% of the supply that comes in is being administered within a week by the HSE. People have commented on the efficiency of the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Functions (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The EU and International Division of my Department works on all aspects of EU and international policy within my Department, including issues relating to the EU/UK relationship. The Division assists me in my role as a member of the European Council and in my other EU engagements. It provides advice and briefing for meetings of the European Council and other EU Summits, multilateral events,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cybersecurity Policy (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 53, 54, and 57 to 60, inclusive, together. My Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security. The Government’s services are still actively involved in managing and remediating the recent cyberattack on the HSE. Our technical staff continue to operate and monitor all relevant systems to the highest...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Chequers on Friday 14th May. We had 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 North/South and East/West basis. We also discussed issues around implementation...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Legal Services (26 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: My Department incurred no expenditure in respect of external professional legal services in the years 2014, 2019 or 2020. The Moriarty Tribunal of Inquiry and the Commissions of Investigation, which are independent of my Department, have sanction to engage legal counsel, as required, to assist them in their work. All legal services fees are paid at rates approved by the Government.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Mac Lochlainn raised the issue that he raised yesterday. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, about this and I believe that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is meeting the group shortly, having invited them in February, when he met them, to make a submission which he got at the end of April. It is important to say that the Government has responded strongly to the mica...

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Yes. We all need to reflect on this a little. Ultimately, we have to have faith in our services and strengthen their capacity to serve in accordance with the principles and policies we lay down here in the Oireachtas. That means constant interaction with the authorities and management bodies. It also means proper internal and external accountability structures. There is a challenge here...

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy just ignores them and says they have no rights and that the gardaí are all wrong. He says the gardaí are oppressors. That is wrong.

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is not a balanced approach. The legislation will be debated in the House. I would have believed the Deputy would support it because it enables us to restrict the journey of the virus. That is the crucial part of it all. It is a matter of keeping the numbers down and trying to achieve some semblance of normality and to reduce severe illness, mortality and the numbers of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Bodies (19 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 to 27, inclusive, together. The economic division in my Department supports me and the Government in developing and implementing policy across relevant areas to support sustainable economic development, including job creation, infrastructure, housing and climate action, and social dialogue. This work is particularly focused on ensuring a co-ordinated...