Results 18,621-18,640 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. I share in the Deputy's expression of sympathies to the family and friends of the homeless individual who passed away. I also convey to the House my deep sadness at the passing of Trish Carrick, whom we lately honoured and spoke of. I offer her husband Damien and children...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (25 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality met on 2 November last and is scheduled to meet again shortly. In addition, a number of meetings have been held between my officials and officials from relevant Government Departments since the establishment of the Cabinet Committee in July.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (25 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Work is on-going across Government in preparation for the possible easing of restrictions currently in place. The Cabinet Committee on COVID-19 will meet on Thursday to discuss modifying restrictions at the end of level 5. Cabinet will meet Friday to further discuss and decide on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Alcohol Sales (25 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Awaiting reply from Department.

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am not shaking my head.

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Let them get the job done, for God's sake.

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Of course not but let them get the work done.

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am all for it.

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: It has been nearly nine months since the threat of an unprecedented global pandemic became a reality. Since then, Ireland and every country in Europe and throughout the world have had to take dramatic action to contain the terrible toll that this virus can take. Every aspect of social, economic and cultural life has been upended as we have worked to shield those most at risk and to limit...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: It was not meant to be personal.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Just as a point of clarity, I have no issue with campaigning or campaigns, but I am always reminded that, when Deputy Barry was elected in 2016, he made a very clear statement of his philosophy. He said that there was a saying in Paris, namely, that which parliament does, the street undoes. That sums up the difference in our philosophies. I am a committed parliamentarian and I believe in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: That is the way politics works, and that is the way it has worked. That is what the Deputies are at.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy instanced correctly the War of Independence as being a campaign, but what about comparing that to whether we should replace the RTÉ licence fee with another charge? That is the point I am getting at. The Deputies will still believe that it will become a big, unjust tax and they will run a big campaign and big protests around it. The point is: Parliament and decision-makers...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Yes, the Deputies will.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: They will do everything they possibly can to resist what this Government, including the Green Party, has proposed in different iterations. For example, on the Oireachtas committee in the previous Dáil, a majority of parties decided on a course of action to try for a reduction. That involved a carbon tax and to utilise that money to protect against fuel poverty and to deal with...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: As we discovered during our programme for Government discussions, trying to bring levels down by an average of 7% over the next ten years will be very challenging, but we are committed to doing it as a Government. The climate change Bill is a good Bill. It has a whole range of commitments. It establishes a 2050 emissions target. It introduces a system of successive five-year...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: -----and he will do so in a constructive manner. His main aim is to improve the Bill if people come forward with workable improvements. The Bill in itself is a major advance on what we have had and is something that commends itself to the House. He is open to amendments, of course, given the detailed examination that has taken place. In the House, Members may come forward on that. In...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Nash for his acknowledgment of my championing of Dáil reform in the previous Dáil, which is true. We brought in many reforms after the 2016 general election. They were significant and they were advances on anything that went before. The Minister for Justice is willing to come into the House. She offered to come in next Tuesday and was turned down by the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Boyd Barrett makes the point about having only six and a half minutes but I could equally refer to the perspective of others. The three parties that make up the Government have well over 80 Members in total. It seems to be the position of Deputy Boyd Barrett and some others in the House that backbenchers and Members from the larger parties should be shut up forever and never get an...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (24 Nov 2020)

Micheál Martin: On Deputy McDonald's point on remote learning, I do not adopt a dismissive attitude to issues of that kind and I regret the Deputy using that phrase, which is not fair or correct. The Deputy raises a lot of issues with me and I have answered them fairly. I do not dismiss them. It is a serious issue for the Minister for Education and her Department. I have approached them on the issue....