Results 19,001-19,020 of 50,353 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Offices (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: You did.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Offices (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is attacking the Government non-stop. I understand that the Northern Executive involves a wider engagement with others. My main approach when I met the First Minister and deputy First Minister was to say travel is a problem and that it is a problem that many will come back through Dublin Airport from about 56 countries. The Republic has a restricted list whereby it is stated...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Offices (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: It is about sloganeering, ascribing base motives to everyone and so on. That is what Sinn Féin is about. I regret to have to say that.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Offices (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: First, in response to Deputy McDonald's questions, I welcome the fact that we are having a North-South Ministerial Council on Friday, the first in three and a half years. I look forward to it. I hope it can create a structure that will help us deal with the undoubted difficulties, as Deputy Niamh Smyth pointed out, that Brexit has brought about in respect of relations on the island and in...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: To answer Deputy Boyd Barrett's points on the taxi drivers, the pub sector, entertainment and the arts, the PUP covered a lot of those sectors as, indeed, did the wage subsidy scheme, which covered quite a number of pubs. In fact, there was an enormous intervention by the State, which just gets dismissed and ignored and the Deputy uses language such as that people were shafted. A total of...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Of course.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Sorry?

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: To be fair, the Tánaiste has looked at all of this, and in the context of the July stimulus, we all collectively looked at it. It is not as simple or as easy as the Deputy has put forward. There are real issues with regard to its administration and validation throughout the economy. I take the general point he made and we will continue to work on this with regard to how supports can...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I know that and there is a reason. It is very straightforward in terms of businesses that are valued for rates purposes. There were significant logistical difficulties with it.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Offices (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. As set out in the programme for Government, a new shared island unit will be established in the Department of the Taoiseach, which will use the potential of the Good Friday Agreement to deliver sustained progress for all communities. This unit will work towards a consensus on a shared island and will examine the political, social,...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Question Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment was established and first met on Wednesday, 8 July. It subsequently met on 15 July and again on 21 July. The committee's terms of reference are to oversee the implementation of the programme for Government commitments aimed at sustainable economic recovery, investment...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: That can be useful and important. Deputy Gould raised a point of which I am aware in terms of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units in Cork and the need for greater provision. A lot of work has been done over the summer in terms of the provision of some units. Work is under way to assess the need for additional capacity in ASD units and in special schools in the general Cork area. I...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality was established by Government decision on 6 July last. The first meeting will take place on 31 July. It will oversee implementation of the programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy, equality and public services, including matters relating to justice...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committees (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank both Deputies for the points that they have raised in respect of special education. I speak as someone who back in 1998 when I was Minister for Education and Science brought in the first ASD unit in mainstream schools. At that time autism was not even recognised as a category deserving of special educational provision in the form of special pupil-teacher ratios or as a category of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I respect the Deputies' genuine concerns in this regard. I cannot speak to the accuracy of the figures to which Deputy Martin Browne has referred with regard to deaths at the home at Roscrea or at any other particular home. I will check the status of the report and I will talk to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs about it to get a response for the Deputies.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I cannot. I understand that legislation was required to underpin what the previous Minister did with regard to Tuam.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I accept the gravity of the situation and the need for Sophie to have her operation carried out as quickly and as safely as possible. There is no doubt that Covid-19 has had an impact on non-Covid strands of medicine. Surgery has been very significantly impacted. That is a growing challenge for us as we resume services while the virus continues to be prevalent and while the measures that...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I will revert to the Deputy in that regard. My understanding is that legal advice to Government on this issue is being considered. I will come back to the Deputy with a more comprehensive reply.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: A range of queries were raised with regard to the reopening of our schools. Fundamentally, there is always and will be a significant degree of local autonomy to be deployed by the schools themselves in terms of the configuration of their own schools and the utilisation of the minor works grants in terms of reconfiguring classrooms and so forth. The capital programme is a separate...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputies Grealish and O'Sullivan for eloquently and articulately presenting a very strong case on illegal dumping. Without question, it is a scourge in our society and across the countryside. It needs to be dealt with robustly and I will take on board the suggestions both Deputies have made. I will talk to the Ministers responsible about putting together a task force and, in the...