Results 17,481-17,500 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy said correctly, the Government has already provided supports for establishments that provide outdoor dining and we are looking at examining, in a positive way, what we can do for those who do not provide outdoor dining but might need support to facilitate outdoor drinking, for example, as such services recommence on 7 June. The important point is to keep the pressure on the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----the Covid-19 pandemic-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: -----but it is important that we treat it as it is.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy certainly can.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Both she and Deputy MacSharry have raised this issue consistently and robustly for quite a while. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, in respect of this. I understand the importance of the Irish Coast Guard Service, the base in Sligo and the expenditure that the airport had to undertake and I will continue to engage with the Department in...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: When I heard the Deputy say the end of September, something came to mind in terms of Kerry people sometimes, although not at all times. I had better not say anything as I am Taoiseach. We have looked at a variety of mechanisms in terms of how we would reflect the State's appreciation of not only front-line healthcare workers but all front line workers who have enabled people to get through...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, the pandemic unemployment payment has represented an unprecedented intervention and support by the State in the personal incomes of those who have suffered and have borne the brunt of the pandemic in losing their jobs. Those payment will continue, at a very minimum, until the end of June. In between, various sectors will return in accordance with the Government's roadmap. For...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is a matter suitable for Topical Issue matters but the Government has moved on this. We have decided on the safe, gradual and phased reopening of some driver services through the Road Safety Authority, RSA, from 10 May. The RSA has recruited 40 more testers who are currently being trained and will be deployed from June to deal with the backlog of tests. Plans are also advancing to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First of all, I am very supportive of the need for women to be accompanied by their partners at all prenatal scans. Clinical directors have determined this from the outset of the pandemic on public health grounds and on no other grounds. We have sought in our engagement with the HSE to ensure there would be national uniformity in the application of these guidelines, and given that case...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I do not support slice-by-slice privatisation of the national transport system. There is a balance to be struck and it has been struck for quite some time. I believe in a strong Bus Éireann and strong investment in it, particularly in the context of climate change. It is very important for fleet renewal and the upgrading of the fleet generally that it would be consistent with the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First of all, there is something new in what happened over the weekend. There is no point in saying there is not because there is. The Government will act on that in terms of the move by REITs into suburban housing estates. Supply is key in the market. We need a greater supply of houses and apartments. We do not have a sufficiency of supply right now. We certainly did not have six or...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: It is regrettable we have a dispute of this kind under way. That is a matter in the first instance for the ESB to address and to resolve. That is where the matter has to be dealt with at this stage.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, I think it is a good thing that public representatives would be proactive and would meet with the Chief Medical Officer and responsibly work out what measures would be helpful in terms of reducing the numbers in Donegal. From what I could glean, that was the genuine motivation behind that meeting during a bank holiday weekend. From my perspective, it was a positive thing to do. I...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. To cut straight to the point, there has been strong delivery of new homes in rural areas over recent years. Approximately 26,000 rural house planning permissions were granted in the past five years. In the same period, nearly 93% of that number of rural homes were actually built. There is ongoing work. The Minister for Housing, Local Government...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: First, I commend the Deputy on organising that commemoration. The people of west Limerick more than did their bit in terms of helping the struggle for Irish independence. Indeed, my late grandfather was close in the Mitchelstown area with those in west Limerick in a number of endeavours. I wish the Deputy well in that regard. They did not die in vain because we have a country, overall and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will know, the Government will not oppose the Bill tomorrow. The Government wants to work with the Deputy's party in respect of the legislation it is bringing forward tomorrow to deal with the leasing issue. The leasing issue is not the dominant form of house provision. As I mentioned earlier, in terms of institutional investment and to give a sense of perspective, 5% of all...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: That is our policy position. We do not want to see, in any shape or form, an over-use of the Part V mechanism via the leasing option.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: Nationally, we are making progress in the battle against Covid-19. In terms of hospitalisations and ICU numbers, the situation is extremely positive. For example, as of this morning, there were 132 people in hospital and 39 in intensive care. The vaccination programme is making great progress, with close to 32% of the eligible population having received a first dose and 12% having received...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should listen to what I said. I was very clear that this is not Government policy.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 May 2021)

Micheál Martin: I have said it very clearly. We do not in any shape or form deem it acceptable that institutional investment of this kind would buy up estates that are already built. We have said that now. By the way, just to put things in perspective-----