Results 16,741-16,760 of 50,297 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Strategies (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The development of new measures of well-being and progress was a commitment in the Programme for Government, in recognition that in order to achieve a well-rounded policy-making system there is a pressing need to move beyond uniquely economic measures. In early February, the Government agreed to an approach to developing an overarching Well-being Framework for Ireland utilising the OECD...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Legal Cases (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: There have been no instances of litigation, or the threat of litigation, in regard to public procurement contracts in my Department for the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Irish Sign Language (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Irish Sign Language Act 2017 provides that all public bodies should provide Irish Sign Language users with free interpretation when accessing or availing of statutory services. While neither my Department nor the body under its aegis, the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), provides any such statutory services to members of the public, both have committed to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Commencement of Legislation (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: There are no Acts, or parts of Acts, under the Department of the Taoiseach awaiting commencement.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Shared Island Unit (31 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: On 22 October, I set out the Government’s vision and priorities on Shared Island in an online event at Dublin Castle. A Shared Island unit has been established in my Department to coordinate and drive this work as a whole of Government priority. The unit is progressing a Shared Island research programme, working with the National Economic and Social Council, the Economic and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputies have asked quite a range of questions. First, I point out to Deputy Boyd Barrett that the Government is not outsourcing housebuilding. Some 9,500 of the 12,500 social housing properties to be built this year will be built by local authorities and approved social housing bodies. There will be very large social housing provision this year in terms of building. The Government is...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: From what I can see, ideology is preventing the building of houses.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Kelly asked me about the provisions in the Land Development Agency Bill in respect of councils and so on.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: Look at the development on Oscar Traynor Road. Up to 900 houses - 853 homes - are stopped. How much longer will it be stopped because ideology keeps getting in the way?

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will participate in a meeting of the members of the European Council which will take place by videoconference tomorrow, Thursday, 25 March and, if necessary, on Friday, 26 March. It had been planned to hold this meeting in person in Brussels. However, due to the continued high, and in some cases growing, prevalence of Covid-19 in a number of member states, the President of the European...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 8, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on housing last met on 8 February and is scheduled to take place again on 19 April. The committee works to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of the programme for Government commitments regarding housing and related matters. There is significant work under way on the implementation of these...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: Following the third wave of Covid-19, we took a decision to reduce the number of times we would meet at Cabinet committee level. This does not mean these issues came off the Government radar or anything like that. In fact, the opposite is the case, especially in terms of mental health and education. A number of specific meetings have taken place in the intervening period with the Minister...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Richmond tabled this question. I say to him that in terms of the alignment of restrictions between Northern Ireland and the Republic, we have been very much aligned up to now and will remain so until 5 April. Indeed, that alignment may extend because, notwithstanding the progress that Northern Ireland has made on the vaccination programme, there may be a phased approach to the easing...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: Issues relating to children and youth affairs are dealt with by the Cabinet committee on social affairs and equality. That committee last met on 30 November 2020 and will meet again shortly. I have regular engagement with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss priority issues relating to their Departments. In addition, a number of meetings have been held between my officials and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I spoke with deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, on 2 March following the publication of the Northern Ireland Executive's pathway out of restrictions document, which maps out a five-level approach to easing out of lockdown. We agreed on the need for a cautious approach to the easing out of lockdown to avoid any reversal of direction. We also discussed recent developments on the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I recently met representatives of the hospitality sector, along with the Tánaiste and the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin. We heard good submissions on the impact of Covid-19 on the sector, which has been the hardest hit sector across the economy, along with the arts and entertainment sectors. That is because of the virus and not...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I understand the seriousness of the situation as presented by the Deputy. I will talk to the national ambulance service on the points he has raised and revert to him.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the announcement and it is an exciting and interesting plan that is in line with the principles and ideas behind the shared island initiative that I have undertaken. The shared island unit will be in touch with the corridors. I recently met the north-west regional group, for example, involving Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council and the growth...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will engage with the Minister and ask him to examine the issue the Deputy has raised. I will also ask him to liaise with NIAC and to revert back.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Mar 2021)

Micheál Martin: In the context of Covid-19, I pay tribute to the National Ambulance Service which has been extremely effective and has worked very hard in testing, in innovating and now in administering vaccines. As a national service, it has really stood up to the test of Covid-19. I thank everyone who works for the service for what they have done for the nation. In the context of those aged over 85,...