Micheál Martin

I agree with the Deputy. I believe the NTA has a huge agenda. There needs to be stronger engagement with both the Government and the Oireachtas, and maybe much more time could be saved, including in the development of BusConnects, for example. As I have said repeatedly, the scenario seems to involve publishing the worst possible plan, which ignites the greatest degree of opposition from neighbourh…

I agree that the tenant in situ scheme is very important in preventing homelessness. It also helps to prevent child poverty. There is a significant crossover. If families end up in homelessness, their risk of poverty increases dramatically. That is an area on which I am particularly focused as Taoiseach. We hope we will have the figures available within the coming weeks.

I thank Deputy Smith for his commentary. One of the most immediate tasks is to ensure we have proper corridors wherever the transmission lines are. West Roscommon and Leitrim have huge issues with forests falling, or whole lines of Sitka spruce falling like dominoes onto the line. That can no longer be tolerated. We have asked the Ministers responsible – there has to be collaboration between Depar…

I accept it is a very serious issue for the people of Cobh, but also more broadly for the region in terms of housing and connectivity. It is a matter that will be evaluated in the context of the updated NDP to ensure sufficient resources are allocated to try to deal with it as a significant road project in its own right. With regard to access to Cobh, it is vital.

I congratulate the Deputy on her election. I also congratulate Deputy Noel McCarthy on his election. Deputy Newsome Drennan probably did not get the opportunity to name the specific service. If she gives me the details on it, I will follow up with the Minister for children.

The broader point is that childcare has evolved quite significantly over recent decades in Ireland whereby we have many community-based and private childcare services, and some State childcare services, albeit in the minority. The taxpayer funds many of the services to get the fees down for parents, which we have done to a significant extent in recent years, to support staff and to create better c…

I thank the Deputy for raising a very important question. I am familiar with the case, and I have read about it. It is extremely traumatic for the family of Joe Drennan to have such a situation unfold. I will talk to the Minister for Justice about it. Obviously, I do not want to comment on cases that might still be live in the sense of a potential appeal, but there are issues in terms of the law a…

The Government acknowledges the significant issue in terms of recruitment of GPs. That is why in the last 12 months decisions were taken to dramatically increase the numbers of doctors in training and people doing medicine in our third level colleges. I stand to be corrected but I think I read a figure whereby for every GP retiring, we have two in training. That is subject to correction, however. …

First of all, I congratulate Deputy Timmins on his election for the first time to Dáil Éireann. The programme for Government is clear in its commitment to roads. Obviously, the updated national development plan will be an opportunity to try to identify our priorities. We understand that with the growth of population in Wicklow and so forth there are huge needs, particularly on the roads side and w…

A Cheann Comhairle, is onóir mhór a bheith tosaithe agus ainmnithe ag Dáil Éireann chun freastal mar Thaoiseach ar an saorphoblacht seo. Is pribhléid den scoth í seo agus geallaim nach ndéanfaidh mé talamh slán de go deo. Is maith is eol dom agus cuimhneoidh mé i gcónaí go bhfuil Oifig an Taoiseach ina seasamh mar chuid de chóras daonlathach níos leithne. Córas daonlathach ina bhfuil údarás agus m…

Today I am deeply conscious of the democratic tradition our country has developed over more than a century. We should never take for granted the freedoms and opportunities secured for us by the generations who sat here before us, and by the men and women who fought and campaigned for the establishment of Dáil Éireann. Our democracy has remained strong through some of the gravest challenges of a tu…

As I look at Ireland today, it is clear that there can be a degree of cynicism towards politics. Too often we dismiss the motivation of others, especially those we disagree with. I reject this. I believe in the good faith of those who seek to serve their communities in elective office, and I believe that politics remains a force for good - a force for positive change. I hope that we can have a co-…

B'áil liom cead a chur in iúl, mar eolas don Dáil, gur chuir mé m'ainmniú mar Thaoiseach in iúl don Uachtarán agus gur cheap sé mé dá réir. I beg leave to announce, for the information of the Dáil, that I have informed the President that the Dáil has nominated me to be the Taoiseach and that he has appointed me accordingly. The comprehensive programme for Government contains a significant number…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders— (1) the Whips and other nominees shall appoint thirteen members to the Select Committee standing established under Standing Order 140 (which shall be called the Select Committee on Subsidiarity (European Union Legislative Scrutiny)); (2) a Minister or Minister of State shall announce the names of the members appointed under paragraph (1…

I move: That notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders and until further notice in the 34th Dáil— (a) the parties and groups shall appoint 19 members to the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform standing, established under Standing Order 128 ('the Committee'), as follows: (i) 10 members appointed by the Government parties, (ii) four members appointed by Sinn Féin, and (iii) one membe…

I dtús báire, a Cheann Comhairle, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leatsa as a bheith tofa mar Cheann Comhairle. Lá stairiúil é gan dabht. Is tusa an chéad bhean a bheith ina Ceann Comhairle. Guím gach rath ort mar Cheann Comhairle agus táim sásta a rá go mbeidh mé féin agus muid i bpáirtí Fhianna Fáil lánsásta comhoibriú a dhéanamh leat. It is a great honour for you, a Cheann Comhairle, to …

Of course, Sinn Féin continues to make things up as it goes along. Sinn Féin knows it lost significant support in the election. It knows it came third in the popular vote. It knows there is zero legitimacy for its demand that everyone else in this House stay quiet and give it power.

Deputy McDonald knows she made her case for radical change in government during the election.

She participated in the debates-----

-----and her party was fully heard throughout the media. I think we all well know-----

-----that breaking out the flags and celebrating an exit poll is more than a bit premature.

I wish to clarify; is it a three-minute speech?

What?

I just saw "3" up there on the wall. Is seans iontach é an chéad teacht le chéile de Dháil nua chun machnamh a dhéanamh ar láidreacht leanúnach an daonlathais in Éirinn. Is ócáid í chun buíochas a ghabháil arís leo siúd a raibh baol agus íobairt ag baint leis an éacht a rinne siad chun Dáil Éireann a chur ar bun agus a chruthú. Ar son Pháirtí Fhianna Fáil, is mian liom aitheantas a thabhairt inn…

What did you say in 2020?