Results 16,241-16,260 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: First of all, the performance of the health service in the last year has been exceptional-----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: -----in particular in dealing with Covid-19, both at the primary care level and at the acute level. Great credit is due to all involved, particularly all those who worked in west Cork in our ambulance service who did fantastic work in bringing vaccines to people who were bedridden and for mobility reasons could not leave.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: I pay tribute also to those in the GP infrastructure across west Cork for the extraordinary work they did. Deputy Collins should have paid tribute to them for the outstanding service that the health service provided in the most difficult of times during a pandemic. It is easy to be condemning all of the time. During August, I was very well aware of the Bantry situation. Deputy...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: I gave the answer.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: As Taoiseach, I am saying to the Deputy that the Government will ensure every effort will be made and that everything that needs to be done will be done. In respect of any short-term problems between now and when the two plants are back in operation in October, any issues that arise will be dealt with through demand management. That means working with large energy users that have back-up...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: However, there has to be the long-term approach that the Deputy has identified, which we are committed to taking.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: It is not that crude a juxtaposition.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: It is not that simple. That is an overly simplistic presentation. The CRU and EirGrid have statutory responsibility to ensure a balance between demand and supply. That is what this Oireachtas established. It provided the infrastructure. That said, the Government has met representatives of both organisations and it will be taking decisions in respect of immediate issues. Again, both...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: The Deputy has been involved in all the housing debates all year. She knows exactly the situation.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: With the greatest respect, what I think is scandalous is that the Deputy's party opposed 975 homes that were due to be built in Clondalkin, of which 20% were social housing. I think it is scandalous that her party opposed 500 homes in Tallaght, of which 80% would be social or affordable purchase homes. I think it is scandalous that her party opposed 278 homes in Swords. It voted against...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has stated very clearly that he has put in place the building blocks for the development of----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: -----a comprehensive affordable housing programme-----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: -----including 36,000 affordable purchase homes under Housing for All. The first home scheme for first-time buyers will enable people to buy a home through government help to bridge the gap-----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: -----between the finance they have and the cost of a home. The local authority affordable purchase scheme will make available homes at an average cost of €250,000 across the country. The reformed local authority home loan scheme, with reduced interest rates for all new applicants, will see more single people eligible for State-backed mortgages. The Minister has put in place the...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: -----who need housing. All she is about, and has consistently been about, is exploiting the housing crisis for her electoral gain.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2021)
Micheál Martin: First of all, I thank the Deputy for the question, because it is a very important issue that is facing the people of the country today. As the Deputy outlined, it is the responsibility of the CRU and EirGrid to ensure the right balance of electricity supply and demand. When they briefed me and the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on Monday night, they assured us that...
- 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.