Results 16,961-16,980 of 50,297 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have to disagree with the Deputy. It is not worse than it was. I do not know how he can say that because I am told the final three months of last year had the highest number of new licences issued of any months in 2020, with almost 900 new licences issued. Licences for a felling volume of some 2 million tonnes were issued in that time, which was 40% of the output for the year. This...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I will discuss this issue with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, who will engage with the commission. The commission is independent but, on the other hand, the point in the context of the 2004 legislation, which provides for the preservation of records, is a fair one. That issue needs to be reconciled and sorted.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am somewhat taken aback by the Deputy's contribution because I do not think it is fair or balanced. He seems to be progressively undermining the role of the Business Committee. In olden times, Government used to come in, lay out the schedule and vote it through. That is not the position now and Government will entertain suggestions and be part of the Business Committee to discuss the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I confirm that Deputy Ryan has made that announcement in respect of this road on a significant part of which construction had already commenced, including a bus lane and increased pedestrian measures. I assure the Deputy that, from my perspective, Deputy O'Dea has been a tireless advocate for Moyross and the entire area, as have Deputy Niall Collins and councillors. They engage and have...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: Jan O'Sullivan as well. We had an interesting presentation by Deputy O'Dea last week and, in his inimitable way, he brought home the importance of getting that project done but also the importance of wider issues of economic development in the Moyross area and greater opportunities which, through the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, and other initiatives Government will...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: About 60% of those travelling are returned Irish holidaymakers. There is a sense that €500 is not a sufficient disincentive to travel abroad. That will be increased. The Government is considering increasing that to €2,000 to act as a significant deterrent to people travelling because all non-essential travelling should be avoided. It is the intention to bring forward...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: In terms of legacy, I just want to assure the Deputy that the Irish Government and British Government are committed to a process for dealing with legacy issues and to the full implementation of the agreements that are in place. In respect of Deputy Barry's point, first of all, I find a difficulty with reconciling a zero Covid approach with his approach in terms of the three days. Be that...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: Sorry, the Deputy raised these issues and I gave my response.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have no issue with it but we are not in a position to do it this week because people were looking for significant debates on Covid.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: Every week this happens. From my perspective, I have to say that I think there is a responsibility on the Deputy's party as well as on all of us to tread carefully. The past three weeks in Northern Ireland have witnessed different parties upping the ante and elevating issues instead of looking at it from a perspective of diffusing issues. There is that responsibility as well on all of us.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: A Cheann Comhairle-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I just think there is an attempt to browbeat everybody into a particular position here. The Deputy has other mechanisms-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: No, the Deputy is using language like "astonished" and that. The Business Committee orders the business of the House on a weekly basis and we make a contribution to the Business Committee, like every other party and every other grouping in the House. I take issue with the political grandstanding that is so evident.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: There are members of the Deputy's party questioning whether people should even be joining policing at this stage. Some of her colleagues have made that comment.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Government will respond to and recognise the extraordinary efforts that front-line healthcare workers have made. The Government will do that. The precise timeframe obviously has to be considered. We are not out of this pandemic yet. There are just over 1,000 people still in hospital. The numbers are still 25% higher than the April peak. There are 175 people in intensive care. The...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, for all those who remember the 1992 UDA attack on the Sean Graham bookmakers on the Lower Ormeau Road, it was a particularly shocking and upsetting episode. I understand completely how raw it still feels for many people. I understand completely the anger provoked by images of PSNI officers breaking up a small outdoor commemoration at the site and the arrest of a survivor of the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this very serious matter. I appreciate fully the concerns expressed following the reports in local media. I will ask the Department of Health and the HSE for full clarity on this, although I believe they have been in touch with the Deputy. I will ask them to contact the Deputy directly about some of the specifics in these matters. The HSE has stated that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is very serious. The Deputy has said the HSE confirmed-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: We have to get this reconciled, in terms of getting the truth. The HSE has said it was unaware at that time of any positive case going into the hotel and it did not arrange for healthcare staff with a positive diagnosis to be accommodated in that hotel.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2021)

Micheál Martin: We need this matter resolved and reconciled. The Minister for Health is here and I undertake to have this investigated. The Deputy will be contacted about that investigation and be notified of the outcome. As I stated, this needs to be reconciled, in terms of what the actual situation is and what happened. Up to minutes ago, the HSE was saying it was unaware that two positive cases were...