Results 16,761-16,780 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Again, the Delta variant has been described as a cloud on the horizon for quite some time. We got advice from which we formulated the original opening in July and at that stage we were told we were in a low- to medium-risk scenario. The Delta variant had not quite penetrated here at that point but everybody knew in the days leading up to last weekend that there were issues arising in the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is being slightly disingenuous about briefings. I have had ongoing discussions with people. When things are going well with Covid-19, the Deputy never refers to the pandemic or seeks a briefing. That seems to be the rule of thumb. When challenges emerge, Deputies pile in. That tends to be the nature of the exchanges on Covid-19.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: We can leave that to one side. A briefing will be organised. The Deputy had a discussion with me not so long ago and arranged a briefing for me from the zero Covid group for which she was advocating. I met that group.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy's position all along has been that we should not open indoor hospitality at all. Let us be honest. That is her position.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is having it both ways.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: She advocates zero Covid one month and something else the next. I agree with the Deputy about other measures and we must consider them for the hospitality industry, including testing and ventilation. Recommendations have been made on the ventilation for premises across the board because that is an important issue.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy's fundamental assertions. I regret the fact that since this Government was formed, she has been so divisive in her approach to Covid-19. She has always sought to use it as an avenue to exploit for political gain. My more important point is this. Everyone in the House should take on board that the Delta variant is a serious and challenging issue, and will be across...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I asked the Deputy a question which she did not answer. The modelling from NPHET was new and stark in its scale with respect to the number of cases predicted through different scenarios, namely, optimistic, central 1, central 2 and pessimistic. However, I asked the Deputy a straight question and she did not answer me. Should we have proceeded? Should we have ignored the modelling and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Through the Chair, nobody likes to be told------

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Government Co-ordination Committee is scheduled to next meet on Monday 5 July 2021.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Northern Ireland (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together. The Government’s Shared Island initiative aims to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance co-operation, connection and mutual understanding on the island, engaging with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future. I established a Shared Island unit in my Department to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Equality Issues (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 places a statutory obligation on public bodies to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and protect the human rights of those to whom they provide services and staff when carrying out their daily work. The Act requires public bodies to carry out an assessment which looks at the human rights and equality...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Equality Proofing of Policies (30 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Handbook provides that anyMemorandum for the Government seeking approval for legislation involving changes to the regulatory framework, including the transposition of EU Directives and Regulations, or for a Government Order involving changes to the regulatory framework must be accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA). One aspect of the RIA is an assessment of the impact...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Whitmore spoke first on the circular economy and the end-of-waste approval process. I will engage with the Minister in that regard. We met recently with the environmental and social pillar. We are broadening and expanding social dialogue. In that context, we met with the environmental and social pillar. We heard a good presentation on the circular economy from the NGO group. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: It will create jobs. The Deputy will try to recruit the people who get the jobs to her movement. That tends to be the cycle. To be serious about it, they are important jobs. In all of these operations, it is important that optimal practice pertains and prevails in respect of the minimisation of waste and the facilitation of the circular economy. The Minister will bring in legislation on...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: No, the Deputy said it was not a good idea. She said that she does not agree with EVs. She said that she does not agree with the concept, which is what I took from her comments.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree on public transport as well, but people are not going to stop using cars overnight, or indeed, on an ongoing basis. EVs are far cleaner, better for one's health and better for the environment than fossil fuel driven cars.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (23 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 to 24, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on environment and climate change last met on 31 May 2021 and is scheduled to meet again on 1 July 2021. This Cabinet committee oversees the implementation of the ambitious programme for Government commitments in regard to the environment and climate change. Those commitments are reflected in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (23 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: I dtús báire, táim sásta comhoibriú a dhéanamh le gach aon pháirtí sa Tuaisceart agus go háirithe an DUP agus an UUP. Tá seanaithne agam ar Jeffrey Donaldson. Bhuail mé leis cheana féin i róil éagsúla a bhí againn sna blianta atá imithe tharainn. Tá sé riachtanach go mbeidh na páirtithe in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Policy (23 Jun 2021)

Micheál Martin: There were quite a number of questions. Deputy Lahart's comments on children and young people not having a sufficient voice during the pandemic struck me and resonated with me. I take his point of view on board very seriously with regard to providing for the expression of their perspectives as we move through the summer and into the autumn period, particularly with regard to the reopening...