Results 18,441-18,460 of 50,297 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising the issues. A strong, vibrant and independent media on all platforms is central to our parliamentary democracy and to freedom of speech. The Future of Media Commission is platform agnostic in that sense. It is not taking a preferential view of one platform over another. It is being asked to look at public service broadcasting into the future and how that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has a lot of talk and her party colleagues talk a lot, but what is absent, in my view, is any coherent plan in terms of employment, affordability or housing. They talk a lot about those things but, in my view, much of it is without substance. If one reads the ESRI report comprehensively, it uses the phrase "extraordinary fiscal interventions" in reference to the Government's...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: First, I think it is a good report by the ESRI. I want to say that, contrary to the pandemic increasing affordability issues in the sector, the ESRI is actually saying that, in the short term, affordability may have actually improved over recent months because of, to use its own phrase, "extraordinary fiscal measures [introduced by the Government] in the form of the Pandemic Unemployment...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Broadcasting Sector (30 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: In December 2019 the Government agreed the terms of reference for the Commission on the Future of Irish Public Service Broadcasting to be established by the Department of the Taoiseach. The former President of Dublin City University, Professor Brian Mac Craith was appointed as Chair of the Commission. The Programme for Government has expanded the remit of the Public Service Broadcasting...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (30 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 25 together. The Department does not engage third part media monitoring services. As part of the press office’s normal operation, both traditional print and social media are monitored for content of relevance to the work of the Department.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Expenditure (30 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The total amount spent by my Department on access to online and hardcopy media publications since May 2020 to date is €17,183 and €17,416 respectively.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Broadcasting Sector (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I agree with much of what has been stated by the Deputies. I did not quite catch the final point made by Deputy Bruton. Is it the balance between traditional media and-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Broadcasting Sector (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: When we say in "a platform-agnostic fashion", I think there is a view emerging that there has been a seismic change in terms of non-traditional media, such as those using online platforms. As Deputy Ó Ríordáin stated, that has impacted on the quality of life of journalists and the quality of the job itself. It is extraordinary that those currently working in journalism must...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am somewhat amused by some of the contributions from the Deputies opposite. Deputy Conway-Walsh said she did not want me to lecture her. I have no intention of doing so.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Sorry now, I did not interrupt anybody. I would equally ask Deputy Conway-Walsh not to lecture me. Since first coming into this House I have had a commitment to North-South relationships and to the issue of the future of this island. That has been my principal interest. I have worked hard behind the scenes and as a Minister to develop collegiate arrangements with people of all political...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: If we shout "united Ireland" better than somebody else, we are more deserving of grassroots support.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: It is much more profound and complex than that.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Good Friday Agreement is an excellent agreement. It is about time a lot of people worked the agreement. I am prepared to work the agreement in all its aspects. The problem is that too many people for far too long were not prepared to work the agreement.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I do not. That is an outrageous assertion.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: No. You are wrong again.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I do endorse-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am speaking through the Chair.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am answering the question. I did not interrupt any other Deputies when they spoke. I have been heckled since I began to speak and there have been efforts to interfere. With the greatest respect, I would appreciate the protection of the Chair when I have the floor. Regarding the questions around the shared island unit, it is a noble objective to work with all sides to enable people to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am all for discussion. I have engaged in discussion on all fronts with all people involved in the North. The shared island unit can do a lot of useful work in the areas we have mentioned, including health, the range of issues concerning justice, education, including a shared approach to history within the curricula, and commemoration, notwithstanding people's different perspectives. It...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The approach Sinn Féin has put forward will only divide people more, both in the manner it has been put forward and the very partisan approach taken by Deputies opposite. I do not share that approach. I do not need lectures about Irish unity or republicanism.