Results 61-80 of 2,944 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising what is a really important issue here. Tillage farmers have had an unprecedented year because they suffered high input costs at the start of the year when sowing and growing crops, they had really poor weather conditions throughout the year and now they are faced with a declining price for their product as well as poor yields. In many respects, it is a perfect...

An Garda Síochána: Motion [Private Members] (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver on the goal of building stronger, safer communities. My colleague, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, has consistently asked gardaí what more she can do to provide supports for them as they do their job. Being a garda is difficult. I do not, nor should any of us, take for granted...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: General Practitioner Services (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue. I do not doubt the enhanced quality of life that can be enjoyed by living or working in rural parts of Galway. The Government is committed to enhancing primary healthcare services throughout the country, including out-of-hours GP services. The development of primary care is central to the Government’s objective of delivering...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: General Practitioner Services (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: I assure the Senator that quality and patient safety in the delivery of out-of-hours GP care remain paramount for the HSE and the Government. The HSE engages with out-of-hours services throughout the country and provides significant financial support towards service delivery. Additional funding was allocated this year to the HSE's community healthcare organisation, CHO, area west to expand...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cancer Services (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank Senator McGreehan for raising what is a very important issue. It is timely, given the significance of this month for promoting the risk in this area. The use of genetics and genetic testing in cancer care has developed and changed in recent years. The focus has shifted from that of prevention to a more holistic approach to cancer care. Developments in genetic and genomic medicine...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cancer Services (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: That is the nub of it.In my initial response, there was a point regarding the development of GP referral guidelines for those with family histories of breast cancer, including pathways from primary to secondary care. That is ultimately what we are talking about. Primary care is where people who have such a concern about their family history but who do not have any symptoms and who want to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. I am taking this Commencement matter on his behalf. Aldborough House is an 18th century mansion in Dublin city on Portland Row, as Senator Sherlock has outlined. Originally built for the Earl of Aldborough between 1793 and 1799, the classical Palladian design with quadrant walls and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: In the initial part of the Senator's response, she said she wants the place to be preserved not just as a relic, but also as a living and breathing place where there is a lot of activity. That counters her second point because for that to happen, local involvement is required. It is not something the Government can impose on people because that will not work. In my experience, it has to be...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flood Risk Management (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. He has described what happened to parents and students when they tried to access the school during a flood, which is an unacceptable situation. We do not want anyone to go through that trauma again and that is why it is really important he raises this point in the Seanad today. I am pleased to provide a response to the issue of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flood Risk Management (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: Yes. The Senator can be assured that this reply was provided by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, who has responsibility for the OPW and flood relief. So flood relief is under the remit of the OPW. As outlined, the OPW has a mechanism whereby local authorities can engage in terms of localised flooding issues so that should be their first port of call. I note from the initial...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising what is no doubt a very important point for the pupils and parents of Carrigaline Community Special School. The Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for disability, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, sends her apologies that she could not be here and has asked me to take this Topical Issue matter in her place. The Minister of State is fully...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy again for his contributions and highlighting this important issue. I reassure the House that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, will continue with the Department and the HSE to drive progress on both the reinstatement of therapists in special schools in Carrigaline and elsewhere across the country, and increasing the availability of respite services to children with...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Invasive Species Policy (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising what is a really important issue. This is not just about red fire ants but also the broader issue of biosecurity, which as he rightly said, in the context of our changing climate is a growing concern that needs greater vigilance in terms of the many different threats that we can face. To answer his question as to who is responsible, the National Parks and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Invasive Species Policy (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: Again, I thank the Deputy for making sure we are discussing what is a really important issue. A lot of work is happening behind the scenes on such threats to our country. We have the advantage of being an island nation, which we need to use to full effect from a biosecurity perspective to keep ourselves safe. This is an advantage that other countries in continental Europe do not have. The...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: I would like to thank both Deputies for raising this important issue. It affects all of us in each of our constituencies around the country. We all know of the really vital work that is carried out by the people we are discussing here this morning. The sustainability and stability of health and social care sectors are a concern for Government and we recognise the ability of voluntary...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (4 Oct 2023)

Martin Heydon: Again, I thank both Deputies for raising this point. It is important that is discussed in the House because these people do crucial work for us around the country. It is a complex area because of the historical nature of section 39 and section 56 workers. Similar considerations arise in respect of other sectors across government, adding to the complexity in seeking to resolve matters in...

Labour Exploitation and Trafficking (Audit of Supply Chains) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: I will and with the Chair's indulgence, I will not need them. I start by thanking Deputies Ó Ríordáin, Nash and Sherlock for bringing forward this Private Member's Bill, which the Government is not opposing on Second Stage. The Government recognises the importance of tackling human rights issues, including human trafficking, exploitation and child labour, and considers...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Scéimeanna Rannach (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for raising this matter. I apologise for the response being as Béarla. I apologise on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, who could not be here to take this matter here this evening. The Irish-language learners scheme unit in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Scéimeanna Rannach (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta arís. I will ensure that the points that he has raised are highlighted directly with the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan. As I said at the outset, 76% of the payment claims the Department has received for 2023 have now been processed and the Department is working on processing the remaining 15% of the payments.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Scéimeanna Rannach (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: There are still some outstanding-----