Results 17,721-17,740 of 50,297 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Legislative Process (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: My Department has not made any applications to the Oireachtas Business Committee to waive pre-legislative scrutiny of primary and secondary legislation sponsored or initiated in my Department in the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: My Department’s Data Protection Officer is a designated official at Assistant Principal (Higher) grade.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Tribunals of Inquiry (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: The two Commissions of Investigation for which I am the specified Minister under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 are the IBRC Commission of Investigation, for which Judge Brian Cregan is the Sole Member and the NAMA Commission of Investigation, for which Judge John Cooke is the Sole Member. Both Commissions are fully independent in their investigations. Excluding third party...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Official Travel (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: The St. Patrick’s Day reception in the White House is hosted by the President of the United States. Those attending, including those proposed by the Taoiseach of the day, are invited and attend as his guests. As I set out in my previous reply, I am advised that it is not the practice for the names of those invited by the US President to such events to be made public.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Judicial Appointments (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 to 152, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will recall from his time in Government and his involvement in the decision-making process for judicial appointments, nominations for judicial appointment are decided by the Government on a proposal from the Minister for Justice. The Government decided on the nomination of the person to whom the Deputy refers...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been working across government to integrate data and insights relevant to management of the Covid-19 pandemic since it began. The HPSC, HSE, and Department of Health, have been providing a great deal of data through the COVID-19 datahub. In addition, economic and other data are very relevant to understanding the impacts of restrictions, where supports are needed, and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Kelly asked about the €175 threshold for the tax rebate. Deputy Ó Cuív raised this with me at a parliamentary party meeting some time ago and I know Deputy Howlin raised it in the House during the debate. The Government is responding to this and an amendment will be introduced to significantly reduce that threshold. We need a threshold from an administrative-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: There will be a threshold and it will be significantly reduced. The catalyst has been the UK's decision to leave the European Union. We will respond to that in the form of an amendment which will come before the House. One of my big concerns generally is the preparedness of Irish businesses for Brexit - deal or no deal. It is important that all companies plan and avail of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: -----and research and therefore there must be a good pathway in terms of their individual careers and then we can make progress.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. The Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland was formally established by the Government on 6 July 2020, and had its first meeting on 29 October 2020. The next meeting of the Cabinet committee is scheduled to take place on 23 November 2020. In general terms, the Cabinet committee will oversee implementation of relevant programme...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on education will have its first meeting on 26 November. The committee will oversee implementation of the programme for Government commitments in the area of education, including preparing for post-Covid education. I have had regular engagement and meetings with the Minister for Education and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: First, I am disappointed with the presentation made by Deputy Boyd Barrett, in which he posited the coincidence between the reopening of schools and the rise in the number of cases. He has been a long-term advocate of looking at these issues from an informed perspective. We have done our research, as have NPHET and the HSE. The level of cases after considerable testing in schools is 2% at...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: It is not a narrow definition at all. Equally, in terms of international research in Denmark, France and other countries, there is no evidence that schools act as a vector for the transmission of the disease. The evidence is not strong in that regard. It has been a good thing for children that we reopened the schools. We should all support that unequivocally. Being out of school will...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: It is very simple. The public health authorities are not convinced about the efficacy of rapid testing or antigen testing. There is no mystery. That has been the position from the get-go and the beginning of the pandemic. The same applies at European Commission level. There will be a further meeting on this issue this week in terms of co-ordination across Europe. There is no definitive...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: As I stated yesterday, the pandemic unemployment payment is providing more than €100 million a week. The cost of the wage subsidy scheme will be more than €5 billion from March 2020 to March 2021. The CRSS will ramp up fairly fast as well in terms of its supports.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: The national development plan is being reviewed. That will take on board the projects to which Deputy Kelly referred.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: This is a very difficult issue. I will be meeting with Mandate shortly and we will see if we can find a way to try to progress a resolution of this issue.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I am not familiar with the details of the case. The clinical assessment and recommendations of the doctors are key. Before anyone is transferred every potential avenue of rehabilitation within University Hospital Waterford should be availed of to facilitate the gentleman's recovery or the optimal care for him. I presume the clinicians are...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. Issues relevant to the transport sector can arise, as required, at a number of Cabinet committees, most notably the Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment. The Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment first met on 8 July. It has met on a total of seven occasions, most recently on 5 November. The next...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Our first priority is public health and protecting lives. We must never lose sight of that. I accept the genuine position that the Deputy has adopted, but we must never lose sight of our overarching objective of protecting lives and the overall economy. The fastest way to endanger the economy is to have a large increase in cases, hospitalisations and pressure on intensive care units. In...