Results 121-140 of 39,052 for speaker:Micheál Martin

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I support the Deputy's basic view about developing the Atlantic economic corridor, rebalancing economic development and ensuring that the western seaboard benefits from this, particularly in terms of offshore wind and infrastructure developments, such as the western rail corridor, which is part of the national strategic rail review. In my view, rail will play a very important part in...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: The back to school allowance being increased is a good thing, as are the expansion of the schools meals programme and the elimination of school transport fees for the coming academic year for primary and second-level schools. Regarding the broader issues mentioned by the Deputy, €2.5 billion has so far been implemented in respect of cost-of-living measures. The forthcoming...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I have, indeed, in terms of the short-term lettings. In addition, I would make the point that the Government has made it clear that there will be a very substantial cost-of-living package in tandem with the budget. A lot of work has to go into that and into the budget in terms of getting that right. We have already, last week, introduced measures in terms of increasing the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: Certainly, there is no grab for power. In response to Deputy Cian O'Callaghan, I would take exception to the assertion that we are somehow resiling from holding An Bord Pleanála to account. The Minister has appointed a senior counsel on that core issue. That is a very serious review. Additional time was sought. It is important when we create a process that it is given time. As the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: Sixty minutes.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: First, in terms of the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022 and the amendments the Minister is bringing in, we heard during Leader's Questions demands to increase housing supply, reduce the pressure on renters and so on. That is the full purpose of the amendments, essentially, in regard to short-term lettings, which I would have thought many people were calling for in this...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I acknowledge that members of the Defence Forces played a crucial role in our testing, tracing and vaccination programmes. In recognition of their input and unique role during the pandemic, the Government announced that they would benefit from the Covid-19 recognition payment along with other front-line workers. It is disappointing that this payment has not yet been made to members of the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: We cannot eliminate HAP right now because there would be thousands and thousands of people without homes if there was no HAP. It is a substantial rent subsidy to people on low incomes, which is as it should be right now.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: That is the reality of where we are right now. We have to deal with that and build more houses. As we build more houses, we can reduce the dependency on HAP. However, we simply have to get far more supply. To be fair-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: Let us be honest. The Deputy's party and others on local councils up and down the country have opposed housing programmes and projects. The Deputy has opposed them because it did not fit his utopian ideal as what constitutes a housing development.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. It is fair to say that since he was elected, he has been a very strong advocate for the Defence Forces. He has been advocating on its behalf to many Members in this House, including Members of Government. His advocacy has been consistent and genuine, obviously, given his own experience. I did not realise the vicarious influence, if...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: The point I am making is that the Government has delivered an exceptionally strong economic recovery, with the fastest jobs growth in the European Union. The bottom line is that 2.5 million people are employed. That is significant in the context of people's capacity to deal with exceptional cost-of-living issues. Rent is too high in this country. Deputy Boyd Barrett's Bill would make...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: It is a simplistic response. It is classic People Before Profit to produce legislation that will not work. The Deputy knows it will not work but it is popular, populist and non-implementable.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: There would be a complete flood of people out of the market.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: There would not be a landlord left under the Deputy's proposals. The Bill is also ill-defined. It refers to nominal medium disposable income. Could the Deputy start to define that?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: The Bill is technically illiterate in its propositions. It is also economically illiterate. There is no question that it is unworkable legislation. That does not bother the Deputy. His whole approach, coming from the far left, is destabilisation and keep producing and being popular. We have to work with real life, which is difficult for people. Rent is very high. Supply is key to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: That is important. We have significantly increased the discretion to local authorities, for example, with regard to the housing assistance payment, HAP, scheme. It has increased by over 35%.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: It has been introduced. Deputy Ó Broin should stop with the mistruths and misleading.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: The work on HAP has been significant in terms of the response of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to the issues that were raised when people sought greater discretion for local authorities to apply to the scheme.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2022)

Micheál Martin: I will always take on board proposals once they are realistic. The Deputy is not tabling a motion on the basis of realism.