Results 16,461-16,480 of 50,297 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Is the Deputy referring to rehabilitation more generally or is it specific rehabilitation?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Is this in the area of addiction, physical rehabilitation or-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Addiction services. I certainly was not aware of 109 beds being lost in the wider service. I will have to examine the figure presented by the Deputy. I do not believe any Minister stated there was nothing he or she could do about it because there is a general policy in relation to addiction services. As the Deputy is aware, the HSE historically has been negative towards...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his comments. The fact that the Kildare County Council and two approved housing bodies were outbid is certainly very damaging or bad news as well. I have spoken to the Ministers for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Collectively, we will examine this issue because it is unacceptable and runs counter to Government...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue. I was very taken aback by the illustration on social media of the incident to which he referred involving a woman being pushed onto the tracks in a shocking manner which endangered her life. In addition, we learn of continuing assaults on individuals going about their routine daily lives and also an increased degree of attacks...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have been in regular contact with Ava's mother, Vera, for quite a long time now and have been very supportive in the various stages of the campaign, including, in the first instance, securing Bedrocan for Ava via the Dutch authorities. I have gone the hard miles on this one and I do not really need any hashtag sort of momentum to push me in any direction on this. I have been supportive...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First of all, there are two issues here. The primary medical certificate, PMC, assessments fell behind as a result of Covid but the assessment process resumed on 1 January 2021. There are still some delays in the processing of assessments due to the involvement of medical officers in the national Covid-19 response as well as the ongoing public restrictions and those delays are causing undue...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for his question. It is anticipated that a memo for Government will be brought to the Cabinet in the next week or two. It is a Government priority that this important legislation, which brings long-awaited rights and protections to farmers and small business owners, is brought forward and passed without delay. It was agreed that the Departments of Health and Housing,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, the Government and I are very supportive of rural pubs and those which do not sell food. In our view, they have provided a very important social network across the length and breadth of the country. The virus has wreaked havoc on the hospitality sector, including on pubs.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The virus has done this. The Deputy wishes to create a political polemic and rhetoric which is untrue.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is unfortunate that he has gone down that particular road-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----and used language that was inappropriate and wrong.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy said correctly, the Government has already provided supports for establishments that provide outdoor dining and we are looking at examining, in a positive way, what we can do for those who do not provide outdoor dining but might need support to facilitate outdoor drinking, for example, as such services recommence on 7 June. The important point is to keep the pressure on the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----the Covid-19 pandemic-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----but it is important that we treat it as it is.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy certainly can.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Both she and Deputy MacSharry have raised this issue consistently and robustly for quite a while. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, in respect of this. I understand the importance of the Irish Coast Guard Service, the base in Sligo and the expenditure that the airport had to undertake and I will continue to engage with the Department in...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: When I heard the Deputy say the end of September, something came to mind in terms of Kerry people sometimes, although not at all times. I had better not say anything as I am Taoiseach. We have looked at a variety of mechanisms in terms of how we would reflect the State's appreciation of not only front-line healthcare workers but all front line workers who have enabled people to get through...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, the pandemic unemployment payment has represented an unprecedented intervention and support by the State in the personal incomes of those who have suffered and have borne the brunt of the pandemic in losing their jobs. Those payment will continue, at a very minimum, until the end of June. In between, various sectors will return in accordance with the Government's roadmap. For...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is a matter suitable for Topical Issue matters but the Government has moved on this. We have decided on the safe, gradual and phased reopening of some driver services through the Road Safety Authority, RSA, from 10 May. The RSA has recruited 40 more testers who are currently being trained and will be deployed from June to deal with the backlog of tests. Plans are also advancing to...