Results 19,861-19,880 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Legislative Programme (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputies for their comments. The Dáil was due back on 15 September and we passed legislation last week, the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Legislative Programme (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I said I wanted a Bill put before the House and one was put before the House. The Government's public legislation programme will be published next week, on 15 September, as is always the case. Deputy Boyd Barrett is correct. There is a programme for Government. There are three substantial Bills, including the climate Bill, which we said we would publish within 100 days as key and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Legislative Programme (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I meant climate change alleviation policies.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Legislative Programme (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I have noticed a consistent trend of being populist on these issues.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Legislative Programme (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Sorry?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Legislative Programme (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I answered the question. In terms of climate change, the marine development Bill is important and significant. There is a lot of work to be undertaken on that. I know the Tánaiste is looking at the issue of sick pay, which was raised last week in the Dáil. That also relates to our PRSI system, and the Government is reflecting on that in terms of the wider debate around pensions...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Legislative Programme (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Next week, we will publish the legislative programme.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Legislative Programme (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I have no issue with that. I take on board what Deputies have said in terms of legislative proposals.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I agree with the basic point that the Deputy made about Caritas and the Sisters of Charity where workers are being left in an impossible situation. Many groups have provided very good services down through the years but it is my view that the State needs to step up and do more over time. It is my understanding that the Tánaiste requested an aide-de-camp.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I do not have the projected cost. There is no additional overall cost to the protocol.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Legislative Programme (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Government legislative programme is currently being finalised and will be published by the Government Chief Whip next week. It will set out the Government's priorities for the autumn reflecting the ambition for legislative change set out in the programme for Government. The forthcoming legislative programme will include no Bills in preparation in my Department as there are no...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The question asked by Deputy Kelly related to the protocol and general division of my Department.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: They are not components of the protocol division. Let us be clear about that. There has been no change to the protocol division. There have been no additional staff provided and the section continues the work that Deputy Kelly and I know it does in organising, on behalf of the State and the Government, various events such as centenary commemorations. Regarding the aide-de-camp to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Hopefully, people can learn in an insightful way from how the commemorations have been planned and developed. The protocol division does not have a role regarding the Sisters of Charity. What is happening in this regard is unacceptable, however. We are in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic but, overall, this points to a need, over time, for the State to review fundamentally how we...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Policy Functions (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: On the recognition of the state of Palestine, we have made it clear in the programme for Government that we will honour our commitment to recognise the state of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict or in advance of that when we believe that doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-state solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory. On practical...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The protocol and general division of the Department of the Taoiseach has responsibility for State protocol, including protocol for the Taoiseach and the Government. This involves the organisation and co-ordination, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, of State and official functions. Such functions include the annual Easter 1916 commemoration, the National Day of Commemoration and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Functions (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Why did the Deputy ask the question then?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Policy Functions (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The international section of the Department supports my work at international level, beyond the EU, to promote Ireland's foreign and economic policy objectives and to maintain and develop strong bilateral and multilateral relations. Working closely with other Departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Policy Functions (8 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Government will continue to accord a high priority to the Middle East situation, particularly the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the necessity for genuine movement towards a two-state solution. We welcome the fact that Israel has removed its threat to annex further settlements in Palestine. It is suspending the plans originally announced. We are still concerned by subsequent...