Results 17,381-17,400 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: This has been going on for years. Every time someone comes up with a proposal, Opposition parties feel that they have to find a way to object to it. I wonder why. It just goes on and on. Deputy Boyd Barrett opposes everything. Every item of legislation. It is his way or the highway.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: We are not building enough houses in this country right now. We need all hands on deck in order to get houses built for people. That is what we need, not just the exploitation of the issue for electoral advantage, which is what I see repeatedly, time and time again.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The crisis is now of such a state-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----that one does not have the luxury of continuing to oppose serious housing projects which are shovel ready.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: However, Sinn Féin continues to oppose them and is giving no rational explanation as to why. It is serial objection at this stage.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: What we have now in housing policy is an interventionist approach in terms of the State's role in social housing and the Minister's affordability legislation. These provide for a range of schemes where the State is getting directly involved in building affordable housing, not just social housing. It is through a range of supports, either through the serviced sites fund, the shared equity...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: There is a project developing in Cork on the Boherboy Road, from which the Deputy will get a strong sense of what that affordability is in terms of the range of prices, which are really affordable. The Government is ten months in office. Without question, it has taken a significant interventionist approach in the provision of housing, both social and affordable, along with the necessary...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I led Fianna Fáil back into government to deal with substantive issues such as housing and to make it a key priority issue because of the needs of people in society for housing as a fundamental right and a basic entitlement. That is why we have spared no effort to comprehensively develop a range of initiatives and funding allocations to match those initiatives to get more houses built....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has seen action. Some €3.3 billion was allocated this year for house construction. The largest social housing programme is under way, as are affordable housing initiatives. The biggest actor in the housing market now is this Government

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: There is no question about that. That is the objective reality in terms of the allocation of funding to a variety of mechanisms, schemes and initiatives. The Government is providing the substantial funding for house construction. We need more than that. That is point I am making, to which the Deputy has not really responded. She does not see a role at all for the private sector and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: When it comes to it, there is no sense of urgency. I have listed some of the projects which Sinn Féin has opposed. If the Deputy were honest about this, she would say, as I am saying to people on my side-----

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (12 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: A tabular breakdown of the figures requested by the Deputy is below. Advertising Costs 2021 Since March of 2020, my Department has co-ordinated the communications strategy for the whole-of-government response to the pandemic that ensures maximum clarity for citizens, businesses and our wider community. The strategy ensures that citizens have all of the information they need in relation to...

Europe Day: Statements (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: It gives me great pleasure to open this debate to mark Europe Day. Europe Day is a celebration of peace and unity in Europe. It marks the birthday of what is today the European Union, the direct enabler of historic progress on this island and throughout Europe. In the face of constant opposition from the extremes of the right and the left, the European Union has prevailed. It has led to a...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: In the first instance, Deputy McDonald raised the issue - it has been commented on by others - of the Stardust inquest and related legal fees. The Stardust fire was a most traumatic national tragedy that has left a terrible and particular legacy of pain for many people in north Dublin. I greatly sympathise with all the families of the 48 young people who were tragically killed in that fire...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 11, inclusive, 43 and 44 together. The role of the social and public service reform division is to assist me, as Taoiseach, and the Government in delivering programme for Government objectives on public policies and services which help create a socially inclusive and fair society. Specifically, the division assists the work of the Cabinet committee...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together. The Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland operates in accordance with established guidelines for Cabinet committees and, where appropriate, substantive issues are referred to Government for discussion and approval. In general terms, the Cabinet committee oversees implementation of relevant programme for Government commitments...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, on Deputy Catherine Murphy's question in terms of the Brexit fund, there have been, or were, some representations being made by other member states to try to eke out an additional share of funding. However, we are close to agreement on this and Ireland was allocated close to €1 billion under the fund. We are close to a resolution on this now at European Council level and I...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. I spoke with the First Minister, Mrs. Arlene Foster, on 28 April to wish her well after her announcement that she would be stepping down as First Minister of Northern Ireland and as leader of the DUP. I have had a positive working relationship with Arlene in a variety of roles over the years. In particular, I valued our...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: In response to Deputy Richmond's questions, it is extremely important that the meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council proceed and that all parties to the Good Friday Agreement honour their obligations under it. That involves full attendance at the sectoral meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council. I was glad that that did happen in the transport sector in terms of the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the Deputy that it is not possible to bomb Gaza without killing innocent children, teenagers and civilians. I have been to Gaza. I walked through it in the aftermath of a war. It is densely populated, with people at close quarters. Bombing raids cause enormous devastation and killing and grief, and should not be proceeded with. I believe such raids are highly...