Results 61-80 of 2,933 for speaker:Martin Heydon

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-----

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

Martin Heydon: I will inform the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, of the Deputy's query. I will ask him to ensure that he or his officials respond directly to the Deputy on this point to clarify it for him. There are still some applications outstanding. As I was saying, 15% of the payment claims have been received and the Department is also awaiting completed paperwork from 9% of the Irish-language...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Forestry Sector (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Cahill for those points, which I will relay to the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. I completely concur that, when confidence is low in a sector like the forestry sector, the running sores have to be addressed and fixed. This is one such item. In fairness to the Minister of State, that is what she is attempting to do with this review. We look forward to its publication...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for that supplementary response. I take on board the points. It is hard to stand up here and highlight negative facts about his constituency but he does that to highlight his concern. I appreciate that. I accept it and believe it is done in good faith. I also counter that by saying that surely the people who are making the key decisions about the new districts are the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Forestry Sector (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: I start by thanking Deputy Cahill not only for raising this point in the House but also for his ongoing work as Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and that of his committee members, in advocating on behalf of those farmers impacted. I concur with him on the impact it has on the broader forestry sector. I offer the apologies of the Minister of State at the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and to pass on the apologies of the Minister, who is in Brussels and, unfortunately, cannot be here. As he will be aware, the Garda Commissioner determines the divisional structures throughout the State. The Minister does not have a role nor can she seek to direct the Commissioner regarding such matters. This is for good reason. We in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Policy (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and pass on the apologies of the Minister for Health, who could not be here to take this Commencement matter. The response I have been given focused on the title, which was around breastfeeding facilities specifically, but I take on board the Senator's point on the importance of ensuring we have those facilities for men or women who are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Healthcare Policy (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: I again thank the Senator. He articulated the impediment and the societal challenges really well. I take his points of view on board and will bring them back to the Minister. We know the importance of ensuring breastfeeding mothers can breastfeed freely and comfortably in the workplace and the wider community. Research indicates breastfeeding gives a child an optimum start in life....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wastewater Treatment (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank Senator Conway for raising this important issue. I know the impact and the importance of this type of critical investment in wastewater treatment for the very reasons he has outlined that are important to his communities in Clare relating to the future sustainable development and growth of towns and villages. I am responding on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, who...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wastewater Treatment (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: I again thank Senator Conway. To allay the concern he raises that the expert panel could perhaps say that nowhere needs the scheme, we all know of places all over Ireland - I have them in my constituency of Kildare - that need this level of investment. I take heart from the line in the original response which talks about taking a demonstration project model approach. I do not think there...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Sports Facilities (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank Senator Crowe for raising what I know is a huge issue not just for Galway but for the west of Ireland. I know the Acting Chair has a great interest in rugby, and we all share that interest, particularly in these months. From that perspective, this is a very important project. It gets to the heart of the Government's approach of supporting balanced regional development, and is a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Sports Facilities (28 Sep 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senator again for raising this matter. It gets to the heart of these large-scale sports infrastructure projects, of which 33 were allocated funding under the previous Government. Obviously, things changed dramatically after January 2020. The 33 projects in question all increased massively in cost because they were delayed due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition,...