Results 16,321-16,340 of 50,297 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: What we need right now is investment to get supply going.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The State is the biggest actor and player in housing at the moment in terms of funding and the provision of housing. That cannot be denied. However, we need more than that to get the volume of houses that are required for the young people of this country. That is what is required.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: For 30-odd years, Sinn Féin opposed the European Union. One of the most progressive things we did in this country and Sinn Féin opposed it in referendum after referendum. When Brexit comes along, it does a massive U-turn and says it is all for the European Union. For 30-odd years, it railed against the European Union and it is still a reluctant participant, if the truth be told,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy welcomed them. I accept that they were different times.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy said at the time: In order to stimulate housing supply, the Minister, Deputy Noonan, is implementing a number of key policies and initiatives, such as the introduction of the real estate investment trust, REIT, tax regime encouraging large-scale investment in the commercial and residential property markets...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: You said at the time it was vital.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will take the point that the context of the time was that investment was required to get supply going.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am just making the point.

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Young people have suffered the most as a result of Covid in the context of education, employment and housing. We now have to deal with that. There is a requirement for a new deal for young people as we emerge from Covid. That is what we absolutely need to do. I believe in home ownership. I believe in supporting home ownership initiatives. I am not clear that Sinn Féin does, for...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: We want to get homelessness down to very low levels. There has been a reduction of 36% in family homelessness, with families emerging from the emergency centres. There has been a 19% reduction overall. The Minister has been active on the homeless question and is engaging on a constant basis with the NGOs. Personally and as leader of the Government, I want to do everything we possibly can...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Paul Murphy spoke about public governance challenges on climate. My language has always been temperate. The comments I made yesterday were in good faith in terms of a public debate. This Government has brought in a groundbreaking climate change Bill that sets very strong challenges. The context of my remarks is that we need to bring people with us. I have concerns about divisions...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Offices (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together. The parliamentary liaison unit in my Department assists the Government in its relationship with the Oireachtas. It works with the Office of the Government Chief Whip on issues that arise at the Business Committee and the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform, including Dáil reform proposals and amendments to Standing...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: A number of interventions have been made so I will need some time to deal with them. Deputy McDonald spoke first. Government policy is very much focused on the key issue of the supply gap. I kept saying this to the Deputy for the past number of days. It is about supply, supply, supply. It is the key to the housing issue. We simply need to build more houses and we need to do it in a...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 8, inclusive, together. The National Economic and Social Council, NESC, advises me on strategic policy issues concerning sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Ireland. In addition to a range of research and background papers, the council published three reports during 2020: Addressing Employment Vulnerability as Part of a Just...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Commissions of Investigation (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I share many of the concerns the Deputies have articulated. It is a matter for the House to re-engage collectively to work out the best models of investigations. When the commissions of investigation legislation was introduced originally by the then Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, it was with a view to having more efficient and expeditious inquiries to replace the tribunals of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Commissions of Investigation (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions No. 1 and 2 together. Under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, I am the specified Minister for both the IRBC and the NAMA commissions of investigation. Both commissions are fully independent in their investigations. The IBRC commission of investigation was established by Government order in June 2015, following consultation with Oireachtas parties....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Our planning system is there to vindicate citizens' rights and I have always respected that. It is the right of our citizens to use the planning system. That can never be tied to the provision of funding to any organisation and I would never advocate that. In terms of the broader debate, I had an interesting exchange yesterday with Deputy Kelly on the need to consistently look at our...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is a matter for the HSE. I do not know whether Deputy Tully has discussed it with the executive or referred it on but that is an operational issue on the ground. We do not want people travelling such long distances. Generally, that is not the policy.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy James Browne, is developing a national youth strategy. This is a progressive and positive piece of work in terms of affirming the positive dimensions of youth and giving the necessary supports to young people more generally. In respect of anti-social behaviour, there has been a worrying increase in certain areas and in the wanton...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Action will be taken in respect of that matter. We do not want investment funds competing with or crowding out first-time buyers or, for that matter, councils. We want councils to build more houses and to commission the building of more houses. We want county and city councils the length and breadth of the country to get involved in direct build and to commission builders to do that.