Results 17,561-17,580 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this serious issue. Without question, the devastation in Killarney National Park over the weekend, which we all saw on our television screens, was absolutely devastating. It was heartbreaking to see such a beautiful area impacted so severely. It is estimated that about 2,500 ha, which is close to half of the terrestrial area of the habitat, have been...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: Regarding the operational logistics the Deputy has raised in respect of various age cohorts, the HSE is working through that. It is clear, however, that we will have to get moving and get vaccinating with available vaccines as they come in. The HSE will operationalise the advice it has received. People are continuing to register and there has been good momentum with people registering...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: We just do not have the number of vaccines to do that. We have to continue as programmed and that will continue to be the case. We have to get the vaccines out as quickly as we get them in. The HSE is examining the advice from NIAC and will come forward in the next number of days with its up-to-date plan on the operationalisation of some of that advice. Some of that is challenging, as the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: One of the facts of the current situation with housing is the enormous amount of land that has been zoned and the number of planning permissions that have been granted but not acted on. There is no shortage of zoned land or projects that have received planning permission, but the projects have not started. There is a big issue there that needs to be dealt with from a housing provision...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, the Government has acted in an unprecedented way in intervening in the economy to support incomes, particularly through the pandemic unemployment payment. Some €7.3 billion has been paid out to date. We have made it very clear that there will be no cliff edge fall-off in the context of the supports. We stated, well in advance, that supports will continue until the end of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising these important issues. Of course, it is extremely important to raise the vaccine question. Vaccines are a vital part of our overall strategy to keep the pressure on this virus and to protect people. First, to protect people's health and well-being and then to protect society and enable it to return to near-normal activities. The vaccines have been very...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: The virus, Covid-19, has wreaked havoc and caused a lot of damage in many sectors of the economy, creating a lot of unemployment as a result. It is not the public health restrictions per sethat have done that, but the virus. The public health restrictions are there to protect people and society from the virus. That is the context. As a result of the virus and Covid-19, the Government has...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Investigations (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: Under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, I am the specified Minister for the IBRC Commission of Investigation, for which Judge Brian Cregan is the Sole Member, and the NAMA Commissions of Investigation, for which Judge John Cregan is the Sole Member. Both Commissions are fully independent in their investigations. From the date of its establishment in June 2015 to the end of March...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Strategies (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: Both my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office, the only body under the aegis of my Department, encourage and facilitate employees to use active travel, such as walking, running and cycling to commute to work by: - providing shower and changing facilities for staff; - supporting and encouraging staff to avail of the Cycle to Work Scheme; and - providing bicycle...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Advertising (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: The figures requested by the Deputy are in the table below. Online Advertising 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 €0 €0 €436,823 €12,281 €1,385,389 €447,848 ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Advertising (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: My Department does not manage the spending on advertising for all Government Departments. Each Department has responsibility for their spend on advertising.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Legislative Process (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: The practice of post-enactment reporting on Bills that are enacted is governed by the Standing Orders of the Dáil (Standing Order 197). The Deputy will appreciate that this is, therefore, a matter for the Dáil in accordance with Article 15.10 of the Constitution.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Irish Language (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together. My Department's Language Scheme 2019-2022 under the Official Languages Act 2003, which is available on gov.ie, contains a range of service commitments designed to ensure that any customers of the Department of the Taoiseach who wish to conduct their business through Irish can do so. This includes services by phone or in person and the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Third Level Education (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: As part of the Shared Island initiative, the Shared Island unit in my Department is progressing a comprehensive research programme, working with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the Irish Research Council (IRC). Strengthening social, economic and political links on the island and the promotion of all-island approaches to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Contracts (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: My Department has entered into two contracts since the start of 2020 in relation to the management and reaction to COVID-19. Pluto were engaged to develop a campaign focusing on the 18-24 year old cohort. The Antiviral campaign encouraged this demographic to assume a leadership role in dealing with the pandemic and utilised platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram. Costs to date are...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cúrsaí Gaeilge (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together. Chas mé le hionadaithe sinsearacha ó gach ceann de na Comhlachtaí Forfheidhmithe Thuaidh-Theas ar an 19 Feabhra, lena n-áirítear Leas-Chathaoirleach agus Príomhfheidhmeannach Fhoras na Gaeilge ar an 19 Feabhra. Phléamar tionscnamh Oileán Comhroinnte an Rialtais agus an méid tábhachtach a...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: My Department has no contracts with consultants or Public Relations agencies. The Citizens’ Assembly, which is staffed by my Department, has engaged Q4 Public Relations to provide media liaison and communication services incurring costs of €18,465.71 in 2020 and €5,127.38 to date in 2021. Its remit includes raising public awareness of the Assembly’s work;...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (28 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: A tabular breakdown of the figures requested by the Deputy is below. Covid-19 Campaign: Advertising in publications Broadcast Advertising Online Banner Advertising Social Media advertising Consultancy Production costs Total 1 Emergency Business Supports €229,784 €253,141 ...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 1 - President's Establishment (Revised)
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Revised)
Vote 3 - Office of the Attorney General (Revised)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Revised)
Vote 6 - Chief State Solicitor's Office (Revised) (27 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: I am grateful for this opportunity to appear before the select committee as it considers the 2021 Estimates for Votes 1 to 3, inclusive, and Votes 5 and 6. The committee has been supplied with a detailed briefing document for each of these Votes in advance of the meeting. I will outline the work of my Department in light of the proposed 2021 Estimates, and touch on the proposed 2021...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 1 - President's Establishment (Revised)
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Revised)
Vote 3 - Office of the Attorney General (Revised)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Revised)
Vote 6 - Chief State Solicitor's Office (Revised) (27 Apr 2021)

Micheál Martin: May I respond?