Results 1-20 of 756 for speaker:Martin Heydon in 'Dáil debates'

Road Safety and Maintenance: Motion [Private Members] (15 May 2024)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Ceann Comhairle and all the Deputies for their contributions to the debate on road safety, the maintenance of transport infrastructure and other issues. I thank the Labour Party for tabling the motion. I welcome the opportunity to debate this important topic on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Chambers, who addressed the House earlier. In...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Teacher Training (15 May 2024)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire for raising this important issue. Under section 38 of the Teaching Council Act, all initial teacher education programmes must be accredited by the Teaching Council for registration purposes. There are two standard routes recognised by the Teaching Council to become a primary teacher. These are a four-year undergraduate bachelor of education programme and a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Teacher Training (15 May 2024)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy. In answering on behalf of the Minister for Education, I apologise for not specifically referring to Cork, which was mentioned in the Deputy's question. In fairness, the answer outlined the rationale for the situation as it has existed to date. It sets out what will inform future plans for provision at primary level, as the Deputy highlighted. The key point is that the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Industry (15 May 2024)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising a very important topic. At any meeting with farmers the length and breadth of the country, they raise over-regulation, red tape, bureaucracy and all of the other work that takes them out of their fields and sheds and into their offices and kitchens, and all of the paperwork that goes with that. As a farmer, with my neighbours in Kildare, I know this is a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Industry (15 May 2024)

Martin Heydon: Deputy O'Sullivan raises valid points. The thing that strikes me when he is talking is that farmers are no different from any other business people. Anybody in business will tell us they can take difficult conditions once they have certainty. If they have certainty, they know where they are at. When things change it is a source of great frustration. It is important when we talk about...

Weather-Related Supports for Farmers: Statements (Resumed) (24 Apr 2024)

Martin Heydon: The Deputy paints a picture of industrialisation.

Weather-Related Supports for Farmers: Statements (Resumed) (24 Apr 2024)

Martin Heydon: I am sure that plays well in Tallaght.

Weather-Related Supports for Farmers: Statements (Resumed) (24 Apr 2024)

Martin Heydon: I too would like to welcome our friends from Estonia. It is great to have them here. I hope they learn a bit about the challenges and opportunities we face in our agriculture sector, which is so important to the Irish economy. This spring has been unlike many others. There is a saying that farmers need to be optimists or they would not still be farmers, but the optimistic streak in our...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 Apr 2024)

Martin Heydon: I am happy that we have a number of hours in the House this afternoon for statements on weather-related supports for farmers throughout the country. I am mindful of the desperate plight of farmers during a very difficult winter and spring. The initial fodder support we have put in place through our co-operative system is to support the movement of fodder that is in the country from areas...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (28 Feb 2024)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I can imagine how frustrating this process has been for the people of Clogh and Moneenroe, as well as for the Deputy, as a public representative for the area. Obviously, the Minister is unable to be here and I am offering this response in his place. As the Deputy will understand, the supply of public water and the provision of water...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (28 Feb 2024)

Martin Heydon: I accept Deputy McGuinness's bona fides on this issue and I am a firm believer in the parliamentary process. Notwithstanding that the response I am delivering today is similar to one he received previously, the squeaky wheel does get the oil. If the Deputy, as a Member of this House, continues to raise a matter here, that does have an impact. It is heard by Ministers, officials and the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (28 Feb 2024)

Martin Heydon: Again, I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this important point. I completely understand the need and desire to see progress in this area. Unfortunately, if we are to continue the analogy with Athy, we were a long time waiting as it is a slow process that is exceedingly frustrating for everybody who is impacted. Public representatives have to stick with it and continue to highlight the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (28 Feb 2024)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Durkan for raising these pertinent points which are hugely important to the constituents he represents in Kildare North. He and I agree that growing the numbers of visitors to Castletown House and estate is in everyone’s interest. It is a fantastic facility. We want more people to enjoy it and learn about it. The move to active travel for visitors will result in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (28 Feb 2024)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this important issue on national secondary routes and, in particular, the Mallow relief road. As he outlined, I am giving this response on behalf of the Minister for Transport, who is unable to be here. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding with regard to the national roads programme. Once funding...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (28 Feb 2024)

Martin Heydon: I offer this response on behalf of the Minister, who is unable to attend this morning. I thank Deputy Durkan for his ongoing interest in Castletown House. As a fellow Kildare man, I know of the huge emotion and upset there is around developments in the area around Castletown House and estate. In recent months, Deputy Durkan has made continuous representations through parliamentary...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2024)

Martin Heydon: I will respond to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae. Let us not do a disservice to farmers, who are doing a great deal in respect of nature restoration. What farmer does the Deputy know who does not want to see better biodiversity, improved water quality and lower emissions in his or her area? Farmers are working towards all of that as well as producing top-quality food. There is no need for...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Feb 2024)

Martin Heydon: Enough scaremongering, Deputy.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Policies (22 Feb 2024)

Martin Heydon: The Deputy is right in saying there is a range of agricultural reliefs. Some of these we take for granted, but if anything were ever to happen to the agricultural relief for young farmers, stamp duty relief and consanguinity duty relief, through which €274 million was provided in support in 2022, we would know very quickly how big a devastating impact that would have. I mention the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Farm Safety (22 Feb 2024)

Martin Heydon: I share with the Deputy in offering condolences to the families of those affected in that awful tragedy on Tuesday. There are other initiatives. I see my role in farm safety as not just involving the physical form of farm safety but the mental health and well-being of farmers. My Department continues to support research into farmer health and well-being. The DCU-led farm health...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Farm Safety (22 Feb 2024)

Martin Heydon: Absolutely. Promotion is a key part of my role. In the children's farm safety initiative in schools, in conjunction with Agri Aware, we are using the positive pester power of children. The Deputy is well aware, as I am, that when children decide they want something, they do not leave you alone until they get it. Instead of me pleading with my uncle to get on top of a very dangerous load...