Micheál Martin

We know the outcome of the various reports in terms of access to the British files. I do not have time to respond to all the other Deputies. Deputy Daly raised the energy market and the energy question. The meeting was a preparatory meeting for the summit, which will happen in March and will be comprehensive. It will cover a wide range of issues which will involve a number of Ministers. Obviousl…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 to 23, inclusive, together. Our new programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, commits to delivering for all people and all regions across our shared island over the next five years. The Government is committed to the unity of the Irish people and believes this can only be achieved through a sustained focus on and investment in reconciliation, develop…

Tax relief? You are all against tax relief.

I thought you guys were all against tax relief.

I have no problem with it. You guys have attacked me.

You guys have attacked us about tax relief. "You should not go near it", you said. Talk to your leader.

I take on board the points made by Deputy Brendan Smith. He has been a really consistent voice on behalf of cross-Border co-operation and has a great understanding of the issues in that area. I take on board what he said about the less-developed areas of Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh and Tyrone. We are willing to work with county councils on this and we developed a pipeline initiative some time back.…

We look forward to its completion. The Deputy will be looking out every day at its progress. She can keep an eye on it and make sure it is completed on budget and within time.

It is a very good example of an area that I think will be transformed. Deputy McGreehan's point about schools was well made. There is already a very interesting shared island project we have agreed with the Northern Ireland Executive on school completion. That is an innovative programme and there is good co-operation on all sides. On the points raised by Deputy Ó Murchú, what we are for is a shar…

-----in any shape or form. The A5 has been bedevilled with planning issues and so on. There is no connectivity via rail, road or air and we have to address that.

Is oth liom a rá go bhfuil an Teachta Dála ag insint bréag arís. Níl aon rud cruinn in aon chor sa mhéid a dúirt sí. Is olc an scéal é nach bhfuil sí sásta díospóireacht shubstaintiúil a bheith againn i gcomhthéacs cúrsaí tithíochta. I regret that normal service has been restored on the Opposition benches. The very real progress that actually has been made in the past four years is ignored-----

-----and then what was said is wildly represented. The leader of Sinn Féin said I have "announced". I did not announce anything, but I will park that for a moment. The misrepresentation goes on and on and the bottom line is that it is two weeks since I was elected Taoiseach. I have not spoken to IRES REIT or any others that Deputy McDonald announced I have. I have spoken to officials in my Depart…

We also brought in other protections. This is not about undermining renters, but it is about increasing supply-----

-----which we simply have to do.

I presume Sinn Féin received Threshold's general election manifesto submission. It includes a very interesting recommendation to all political parties in respect of RPZs and long-term rental stability. The Deputy referenced funds and lobbyists. The lobbying register makes for very interesting reading with respect to the high level of activity of the Sinn Féin spokesman, Eoin Ó Broin and the variou…

----- Vulcan consulting, Cairn Homes-----

-----IBEC, on behalf of Property Industry Ireland, the Irish Institutional Property, Irish Residential Properties REIT, the Construction Industry Federation CIF, Tetra Capital Limited, Hines Real Estate Ireland Limited-----

-----Beakonshaw Limited, Hibernia Real Estate Group, the Ronan Group Real Estate about the glass bottle site, Cosgrave Property Group and Bartra Capital Property Management.

The Sinn Féin spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, has met all of these organisations-----

-----and yet the full attempt by Deputy McDonald and her party in the past few days------

-----has been to try to smear me, and others by association,-----

-----by saying we are responding to lobbyists. We are not.

It is hypocrisy of the worst kind-----

-----and it just sums up-----

-----the shallowness of Sinn Féin's approach.