Results 141-160 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: It has been very interesting that in the past ten days, including today, their entire focus has been on giving everybody everything. Whatever scheme is brought in-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Through the Chair, I did not interrupt anybody. It is a case of giving everybody everything. In the last budget, we took significant steps with the child support payments for both under-12s and over-12s.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Sorry, Deputy Hearne is not leader yet.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: In the last budget, I itemised the issues. The free schoolbooks scheme is now part of the budget and of the base, which is very important. It is not once off or anything like that. It is the same with free transport for those aged between five and eight and the hot school meals programme. We did not extend VAT either. I have made it clear that in the next budget, for the Government and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: There is only so much money-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: We could spend billions of euro but the challenge really is the question of whether those opposite have the political guts to target.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy may be aware that the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, has met with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, and has asked it to conduct an analysis of the Irish grocery retail sector, with a view to determine the existence of excessive pricing or not in an evidence-based way. We also have the equivalent of the agricultural ombudsman in terms of food prices. We...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the Deputy's questions. We are under no illusions about the impact of the cost of living on families and people. The reality is there was an excessive inflationary spiral coming out of Covid and as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the consequential increase in energy prices. That did impact and that is why there were exceptional once-off cost-of-living packages...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Minister, Deputy Lawless, did not say what the Deputy attributed to him. This is a classic performance from her, in terms of saying something that is not true. He never said that. His Estimate that was provided last year does not allow it right now, just the exact same as last year. There is an Estimates process and a budget like there is every year.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: That issue will be addressed in that Estimates process and in the budget. SUSI grants and what we can do there will be addressed. Postgraduate supports will be addressed. Additional places in third level, which people are seeking in the areas of therapies, medicine, nursing and so on, all involve expense.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: In fairness, I think the students of Northern Ireland would appreciate a bit of clarity from Sinn Féin as to how their fees still remain at over €5,000 in Northern Ireland, and the Deputy pontificates and says this Government is not providing clarity.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: It is a Sinn Féin Minister for Finance, and they have the biggest allocation from Westminster in a long time, but they reduce everything to simplicity. We have a full range that we are going to provide-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----and we will continue to provide supports to students-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: -----and we will also continue to prioritise participation in education because it is a great gateway for people to progress in life.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Ní aontaím leis an Teachta. Níl aon amhras go bhfuil méadú faoi leith tar éis teacht ar líon na mac léinn atá ag freastal ar oideachas tríú leibhéal sa tír seo thar na blianta. Tá sé sin soiléir. Tá infheistíocht stairiúil curtha isteach againn le blianta beaga anuas chun tacaíocht a...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: Ireland enjoys a deep and strong relationship with Canada, a country with which we share many values and are very often of like-mind. Increasingly that relationship has an economic focus. I offered Prime Minister Carney my congratulations on his election victory and said that I looked forward to cooperating with him and with his new Government in the period ahead. I have not had the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels on 8 May. We discussed a range of EU and international issues and I briefed President von der Leyen on the priorities of the Irish government. Our discussion included a focus on economic competitiveness and trade issues, and I expressed support for the measured approach the European Commission has...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: I spoke by phone with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer on 13th May. The Prime Minister and I reflected on the constructive bilateral discussions held between the Tánaiste, Minister O’Callaghan and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn at the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in April on legacy issues relating to the Troubles. The Prime Minister and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Economic Growth (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Government's response to the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council's Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2024 report was published on 5 November last. The Government's response was co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach, drawing together material from relevant Departments. This was the fifth year in which a formal response was issued by the Government to the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (8 Jul 2025)

Micheál Martin: The Cabinet Committee on Water Quality was established to coordinate water quality improvements across all sectors as part of the Programme for Government’s commitments. The Cabinet Committee on Water Quality met on March 31 and June 19 to discuss and progress water quality improvement initiatives. This work is continuing and its next meeting will be scheduled in due course.