Results 16,381-16,400 of 50,297 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has seen action. Some €3.3 billion was allocated this year for house construction. The largest social housing programme is under way, as are affordable housing initiatives. The biggest actor in the housing market now is this Government

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: There is no question about that. That is the objective reality in terms of the allocation of funding to a variety of mechanisms, schemes and initiatives. The Government is providing the substantial funding for house construction. We need more than that. That is point I am making, to which the Deputy has not really responded. She does not see a role at all for the private sector and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: When it comes to it, there is no sense of urgency. I have listed some of the projects which Sinn Féin has opposed. If the Deputy were honest about this, she would say, as I am saying to people on my side-----

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: A tabular breakdown of the figures requested by the Deputy is below. Advertising Costs 2021 Since March of 2020, my Department has co-ordinated the communications strategy for the whole-of-government response to the pandemic that ensures maximum clarity for citizens, businesses and our wider community. The strategy ensures that citizens have all of the information they need in relation to...

Europe Day: Statements (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: It gives me great pleasure to open this debate to mark Europe Day. Europe Day is a celebration of peace and unity in Europe. It marks the birthday of what is today the European Union, the direct enabler of historic progress on this island and throughout Europe. In the face of constant opposition from the extremes of the right and the left, the European Union has prevailed. It has led to a...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: In the first instance, Deputy McDonald raised the issue - it has been commented on by others - of the Stardust inquest and related legal fees. The Stardust fire was a most traumatic national tragedy that has left a terrible and particular legacy of pain for many people in north Dublin. I greatly sympathise with all the families of the 48 young people who were tragically killed in that fire...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 11, inclusive, 43 and 44 together. The role of the social and public service reform division is to assist me, as Taoiseach, and the Government in delivering programme for Government objectives on public policies and services which help create a socially inclusive and fair society. Specifically, the division assists the work of the Cabinet committee...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together. The Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland operates in accordance with established guidelines for Cabinet committees and, where appropriate, substantive issues are referred to Government for discussion and approval. In general terms, the Cabinet committee oversees implementation of relevant programme for Government commitments...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, on Deputy Catherine Murphy's question in terms of the Brexit fund, there have been, or were, some representations being made by other member states to try to eke out an additional share of funding. However, we are close to agreement on this and Ireland was allocated close to €1 billion under the fund. We are close to a resolution on this now at European Council level and I...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. I spoke with the First Minister, Mrs. Arlene Foster, on 28 April to wish her well after her announcement that she would be stepping down as First Minister of Northern Ireland and as leader of the DUP. I have had a positive working relationship with Arlene in a variety of roles over the years. In particular, I valued our...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: In response to Deputy Richmond's questions, it is extremely important that the meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council proceed and that all parties to the Good Friday Agreement honour their obligations under it. That involves full attendance at the sectoral meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council. I was glad that that did happen in the transport sector in terms of the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy that it is not possible to bomb Gaza without killing innocent children, teenagers and civilians. I have been to Gaza. I walked through it in the aftermath of a war. It is densely populated, with people at close quarters. Bombing raids cause enormous devastation and killing and grief, and should not be proceeded with. I believe such raids are highly...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: There the Deputy goes again. He is going to stop that Bill now as well, or try to stop it. That Bill is needed, we need to get it through. Why? It is because we need to use State land to get houses built. Supply is the big issue here. The State is providing the largest social housing programme in its history. This year and over the next five years, we will also support the building,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: There were 20,000 built last year. Covid-19 has already stopped us building for three months this year.We might be lucky to get more than 20,000 houses built. We need supply.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: As I said earlier, our first thoughts today are with the families of those killed following the terrible violence and atrocities in Ballymurphy on those three terrible days in August 1971. I recall visiting the site at the time and meeting with the relatives. I was never in any doubt but that these innocent citizens were killed without any justification and that they were entirely innocent,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree 100% that there is no need for these restrictions now at all. I said that last week in this House. The Chief Medical Officer has said that, given the success of the vaccination programme, particularly within healthcare settings, the suppression of the virus among front-line healthcare workers and the high level of vaccination across the country, women's partners should be with them,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will engage again with the HSE.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have already spoken to the CEO of the HSE about telling both the national clinical directors and clinical directors across all hospitals to facilitate such access.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have some reservations about what has happened here today. The Business Committee met and agreed the order for this week and I was not involved in that. For approximately 20 minutes, Deputies from parties which agreed to the Order of Business have been raising all sorts of issues. I am conscious there was meant to be 30 minutes for other Deputies to raise issues concerning legislation or...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Many Deputies in my party and in other parties are being denied an opportunity to raise issues because of what is going on here.