Results 18,981-19,000 of 50,453 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Constitutional Amendments (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Yes, but the Deputy did not bring in any proposals for a referendum on housing. By the way, we are committed to holding a referendum.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Constitutional Amendments (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: There are Bills everywhere. There is an ongoing debate on whether we can get things done through legislation and various taxation measures to reduce the incentive to hoard land, to create a punitive environment for the hoarding of land and to reduce the acceleration of land prices. That is the objective of Government. The programme for Government is the outcome of negotiations between...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland was formally established by Government decision on 6 July and the first meeting will be scheduled to take place over the course of the autumn. Brexit matters have, of course, remained firmly on the agenda of Cabinet. The Government has taken a number of decisions recently on Brexit, including to intensify work across government to ensure...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I understand the profound nature of the judgment. Of course I do. The Government has only been in office for two or three months. We will deal with these issues. Of course Covid has changed the norm. The Deputy stated the Government is saying not to go on public transport. Public health is saying that and it is advising us. There was a view in this House that we adhered to the broad...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I do not see the Minister, Deputy Ryan, having any difficulty in committing to a feasibility study. He wants to accelerate light rail proposals and initiatives across the country. I will talk to him about the Galway situation. The Deputy said he has refused.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy made a comment and perhaps I could get clarification. She said he had refused a feasibility study.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: That was the previous Minister. Deputy Ryan is the current Minister.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: We should not be making such declarations. We should give the Minister the benefit of the doubt.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: From my conversations with the Minister, he is an enthusiast of light rail.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: He is an enthusiast of public transport.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: On the gender issue, it is a point well made. This kind of Bill will create opportunities in respect of agencies and councils and so on.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Constitutional Amendments (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Under the programme for Government, the Government is committed to holding constitutional referenda on the following matters: extending the franchise at presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside the State; housing; and Article 41.2 of the Constitution, concerning women in the home. In addition, the programme for Government also commits to refer the issue of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I would not use that language to describe people who object to anything in the country-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: People are entitled to object. That is why we have a planning process. I accept there is a crisis and that we need a more streamlined, fit-for-purpose system. That is what is proposed in the amendment to the Agriculture Appeals-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: That is why there are amendments to the Agriculture Appeals Act and why those amendments are required. The amendments will bring the forestry licensing process into line with the planning process under the Planning and Development Act 2000. The amendments we have already published - and we will take on board the consultation that arose from that publication - provide for a more efficient...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Admhaím go bhfuil an cinneadh sin a dhein an Chúirt Uachtarach dearfach tábhachtach. Caithfimid sa Rialtas cloí leis an gcinneadh sin agus ceachtanna a fhoghlaim. Mar is eol don Teachta, is í an gheallúint is tabhachtaí ag an Rialtas nua ná Bille cuimsitheach láidir ó thaobh cúrsai aeráide de a chur i bhfeidhm. The impact of that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I fully empathise with the Deputy's presentation. We are with him on the need to respond to these issues. This is why the HSE has developed a draft plan, which contains proposals for health service delivery in the Covid-19 pandemic for the winter and through to 2021, to address the backlog of non-Covid care as a result of the pandemic itself. It is built on a number of pillars, including...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this very serious issue. It is no exaggeration to say that of course the forestry sector is in crisis. It is in crisis because the planning system as it exists has been overwhelmed by a very high volume of appeals to decisions taken by the forestry appeals committee. The response has to be through resources and legislation. The Government published...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is wrong in her analysis when she speaks of lateness and all of that kind of stuff. She should not seek to try to divide the House on the very fundamental matter of our commitment to adhering to international agreements. I am as resolute as the Deputy or any other Member, as is the Government, in terms of international treaties. What we do not do, though, is react in a knee-jerk...