Results 17,961-17,980 of 50,297 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: There are elements of it that can be progressed and we will drive on with them. There will be improvements but there are also significant challenges. The accommodation aspect is something we will have to work on in order to ensure we can deal with those challenges and move on with the White Paper process. There are immediate issues that we can deal with, as I outlined. The Deputy can take...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: First of all, the Deputy will be happy to hear that I agree with her that clothes are essential, particularly for children. The Deputy was in favour of the level 5 restrictions, as advised by NPHET, which include the closure of non-essential retail. Retail outlets have provided a number of options, such as click and collect, where people can make a telephone call, order clothes and call in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising an issue that is very important to many people in our society. I will certainly engage with the Minister in this regard but the heads of the Bill are expected shortly. I will keep a sharp eye on that for the Deputy.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I have said numerous times in the House that the staff in Debenhams have been treated very unfairly and appallingly in this very protracted dispute by the company. In fairness to the Deputy he has raised this issue consistently in the House and he is anxious that talks would develop. KPMG was approached to enter talks on behalf of Debenhams to try and resolve the outstanding claims. Those...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: If only it was as simple as the Deputy articulates it, but it is not and he knows that. That is the unfortunate reality. The implementation of the Duffy-Cahill recommendations would not have resolved this. The Government is committed to and is undertaking the reform of company law, particularly in improving the rights of workers where collective agreements have been formulated and signed...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: No, that is not a correct interpretation of where I stand regarding the code of conduct. As far as I am concerned, there is an obligation on all members of the current Government to adhere to that code in the spirit and in the principle of that code. I hold strongly by that. I have made it very clear that I regard what the Tánaiste did in the last Government was not best practice. It...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I will say three things. First, the Tánaiste in his speech yesterday said it was an error of judgment. He said he would not do this again; he has made that clear. Second, the IMO was very clear when it published this in a press release, which stated, "Following months of negotiations, the IMO announces details of €210 million investment secured from Government for General Practice."

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Sorry, the Deputy said the opposite.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am not twisting anything. This happened. This cannot be twisted because it happened. It was published.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I did not interrupt the Deputy and I would really appreciate if she gave me an opportunity to answer the question. On the issue of trust-----

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: On the issue of trust, I have met the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, and IBEC. I am spanning the social-----

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I will not say. I will not respond. I have met ICTU and IBEC. I have expanded the social dialogue unit within my Department.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: In many ways I am engaging and developing and building trust with the social partners and will build a stronger trust with the social partners. That is in my DNA.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: That will happen as Taoiseach. I will ensure, along with my Government colleagues, that we work collectively with the social partners to take the country through the greatest challenge it has with the global pandemic, to keep our economy and the edifice of our economy intact, to protect people's livelihoods, and to work in health, education and housing. These are the essentials for the...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: First, I was not a member of the previous Government and I am not accountable for its actions.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: All governments are accountable to the people. Deputy Mattie McGrath supported the accession of the former Minister, Shane Ross, to power. He regretted it later, but that is the role he played in the formation of the previous Government.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Through the Chair, I make the point that governments are accountable to the people in general elections. The previous Government was. A new Government has been formed and we have very clear approaches in terms of both the policy agenda of the Government and the procedural dimension to the new Government. The three party leaders in government meet regularly in regard to the agenda at...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: With the greatest of respect to the Deputy and everybody else, I happened to read the other night, which kept me up somewhat late, a wonderful article, which I would recommend to Deputy McDonald, published in GQonline, by the investigative journalist, James Harkin. It is an excellent piece of journalism and is called "Unmasking Stakeknife". It tells an incredibly sordid story of the IRA and...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: The point is that-----

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Mac Lochlainn should read the article. If I was a member of his party and movement, I would be looking around me every day, wondering who my friend is.