Results 16,721-16,740 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have said repeatedly and consistently here that our objective is to protect people. Over the last number of months, we have successfully suppressed the virus in this country compared to many other countries.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Let us look at what is happening in Johannesburg, for example, because of the Delta variant. I am amazed at times. I recall being here in February and everyone was talking about maximum suppression of the virus and zero Covid, though not Deputy Danny Healy-Rae in fairness.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: It amazes me that people quickly forget how devastating this virus can be on people's health. It amazes me that in a few months people quickly forget what happened in this country. We should never underestimate the potential of this virus, through various variants, to wreak havoc. We are in a better position because of vaccinations.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: We will come out of this but we will do it in a steady way, as we have done over recent months. We have reopened the country and we will continue to do so.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: We extended the PUP and the deadlines in terms of new applicants in light of advice received on Monday evening regarding the Delta variant. We have done that, we have extended it which shows our flexibility in keeping these schemes under review. It has been an unprecedented intervention by the Government across the board in protecting jobs and supporting hospitality through the Covid...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree with Deputy Collins in terms of the beauty of those walkways and the fantastic amenities they provide to people throughout the country who avail of the incredible landscape around west Cork by accessing those walkways he described. I will talk with the Minister, in terms of engaging with Oireachtas Members, and with the county council.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: It must be acknowledged that there has been a transformation in the nursing home sector as a result of the successful implementation of the vaccination programme. As we move through the variety of supports to different sectors, there will come a stage when we must move to investment mode in the future. We will work with the nursing home sector on the next phase of this. The provision of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, the most effective way to get the world vaccinated is through licensing of technology and building up capacity and know-how in terms of the production of vaccines. The European Union has pledged €1 billion to developing production facilities and know-how in Africa so that Africa can begin producing its own medicines. That, to me, is a very sensible and pragmatic way of trying...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----is playing a very noble role in this and the European Union has been a way ahead of any other large bloc-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----in respect of vaccine production.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy that the guidance should issue. I know that the Minister is close to finalisation of the guidance. It has been going on for quite some time, even longer than 2019, in respect of new guidelines for wind turbines and for renewable energy more generally. I will engage with the Minister in terms of accelerating the publication of those guidelines and interaction with...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: This is one of the many consequences of Brexit. I saw during the week that the exports to the European Union of one third of UK companies had declined. The ramifications of Brexit on the UK economy are going to be sustained in the long term. Regarding the Deputy's point, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement has eliminated tariff duties on trade between the European Union and Great...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is having an each-way bet in that presentation. The vaccine programme has been very effective, I am sure the Deputy will agree. It has been excellently executed. The NIAC advice in respect of AstraZeneca and Janssen came in on Monday evening and was formally sent yesterday from the CMO to the HSE. The HSE has to work through that advice in terms of the implications, but it will...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is a very fair point that the Deputy has raised, although the rates are increasing and progress is being made in relation to the various screening programmes. The Government and the Minister for Health are, along with the HSE, working through and operating an awareness campaign and encouraging people to come back and avail of the screening programmes. That will continue. We will take...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy said at the outset we should set parameters for NPHET. NPHET is independent of the Government.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: We might not like its advice from time to time and we may not always go with it-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: There is no need to be shouting.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy said something that breaches anything he has said since the outset of the pandemic on setting parameters and interference.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is up to the Government to decide, having received advice. My view is we could not proceed on 5 July, based on the model. I hope the Deputy accepts that. We cannot proceed on that basis on 5 July.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Thank you. I appreciate that. Now we have to work with the industry on how best to proceed, including testing and other aspects which the Government might have to look at. We want to engage with the industry on that. On vaccine roll-out, "Yes" in terms of Janssen. The HSE is working on that. We will operationalise the advice. AstraZeneca, AZ, supplies are not available immediately...