Results 19,241-19,260 of 50,434 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy asked a question. The advices are there on the issue. There are quite substantive comprehensive advices, which I have seen. Let us be clear about the Bill. I met with its advocates. I identify with the principles behind the Bill and support them. No one, among the international people I have met, ever suggested that it would be a game changer. Let us keep it in perspective...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The problem is very little internationally is impacting on Israeli Government policy, if the truth be told.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Israel enjoys strong support from the United States Government on a continual basis. That is why I suggested that the Deputy should raise it more vociferously. My sense of it is that Sinn Féin goes silent when it comes to Capitol Hill. I take it that the Deputy is sincerely behind the issue but-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am not worried at all but the Deputy knows there is an inextricable link between US policy underpinning and supporting Israeli Government policy

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: We have put it in the programme for Government. A former Minister for Foreign Affairs from Fianna Fáil, the late Deputy Brian Lenihan senior, was the first Minister in Europe to recognise the right of Palestinians to a homeland. We are very committed to this. This is about strategy and how to do it best; that is what this is about. I would like Israeli Government policy to change and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: We must change the model of caring for our elderly. That is what the programme for Government is committed to in home and community based interventions as well as long-term nursing home care, for which there will always be a need.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Putting the occupied territories Bill on our Statute Books would not change anything in terms of Israeli Government policy right now, if we are honest. What is important is that I do think we have to take a stand in respect of any proposals by the Israeli Government to annex more lands, as has been proposed but has not happened yet. There is significant opposition to that. The provisions...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am not sure they do. They might raise it with Congress representatives or Senators there. Sinn Féin has a sort of dual approach to this which is very strong here, but when it comes to United States, I do not get any sense that they raise this with the same degree of commitment as they do here in the House. That is my sense of it. I have raised it with US Congress members and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Was Deputy Boyd Barrett in first?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett's point, there are two dimensions. Our system has evolved. The Deputy mentioned himself that those particular nursing homes were Covid free. We need to put on record that quite a lot of nursing homes in Ireland did well in preventing Covid from spreading within them. I do take the Deputy's point that in the initial response, all the emphasis was on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am awaiting the specific calculations in the context of constant and current. I will not take heed of any figure that is thrown about. There was always a difference between current and constant. The important achievement with regard to the CAP is that we have protected the funding during this round. That is particularly important in light of the significant pressure in the context of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Programme for Government: Our Shared Future, as agreed between the parties in government, was approved by the Government on 27 June 2020. The programme for Government sets out policy and legislative proposals for the full term of the Government across several missions, namely: a better quality of life for all; reigniting and renewing the economy; a green new deal; universal healthcare;...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: First, there is an existing health programme within the multi-annual financial framework. There are two dimensions to this, namely, the multi-annual financial framework, which is the seven-year budget for the European Union, and, alongside that, the Next Generation EU recovery fund. Going into the summit, the Commission's proposal was for a €750 billion package. The Commission and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Social Dialogue (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Throughout my political life I have had a long-standing belief in the value and importance of engagement with stakeholders in our society, particularly social partners. I have a long record of such engagement in the various Ministries I have held. I also believe in getting the right balance in doing that. This is not about co-opting anybody into any corporate programme. It is about how we...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 4, inclusive, together. Since taking office I have spoken by telephone with several leaders, including German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa, and the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda. I attended a special July meeting...

Election of Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Motion (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, or in Schedule 2 to Standing Orders, that (1) the election of a Leas-Cheann Comhairle as provided for in Standing Order 11 shall take place in the auditorium of the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) on North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, on Thursday 23rd July, 2020, and (2) the following arrangements shall apply to that election, where there...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Social Dialogue (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Government recognises the importance of regular and open engagement with all sectors of society. This is particularly important as we steer our way out of the pandemic, rebuild our economy and support communities that have been severely impacted by Covid-19. As outlined in the programme for Government, we will establish a unit within my Department to help co-ordinate future social...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Social Dialogue (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am anxious to develop and expand the engagement with the social partners more generally. As I said earlier, that is particularly important in the context of economic recovery from Covid-19. The labour-employer economic forum, LEEF, mechanism has been useful. The Tánaiste and the Minister for Finance have been involved in that, as was the Minister for Business, Enterprise and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Jul 2020)

Micheál Martin: Insurance companies should honour their commitments. The Government is taking the insurance issue very seriously. The Ministers of State, Deputies Fleming and Troy, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform are all very focused on the need to deal comprehensively with the insurance issue in order that insurance companies will honour...