Micheál Martin
Cork South-Central · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“At the beginning of April, the Government approved the establishment of the Cork city futures group to guide development of Cork city for the future.”
“We have to have a budget that reflects the need to sustain that level of work in our economy so that people will have access to jobs. The AI issue is causing a lot of concern. I take heart from the investment announced by Intel this week, which will be AI-propelled, actually.”
“Dublin City Council is progressing the establishment of this new legal entity, in line with the timelines laid out in the roadmap; a ten-year integrated area strategy for Dublin city centre to optimise funding and investment and tackle vacancy and dereliction; and accelerated delivery of landmark capital projects in the city centre throug…”
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 to 30, inclusive, together. This will be a long answer because there is one task group and one futures group.”
“I think Deputy Hayes was being a bit petty, if that is the word I am looking for, in what he said about Spain. Well, using the word "petty" might be a bit uncharitable today. It is more a Spain is more vociferous than us kind of thing. We have worked very well together on the Middle East. It is a very serious issue.”
“A dedicated body, to be known as The Cork City Futures Group, will work to unlock the city’s full economic, cultural and academic potential, alongside further investment, innovation and infrastructure. I think people are familiar with the terms of reference.”
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“The Deputy has been relentless in articulating for the needs of Dundalk and Blackrock in particular, given the exponential population growth there and therefore the pressure on services and the need for a wastewater treatment plan. I will engage with Irish Water, which has received unprecedented levels of funding arising from the NDP and the budget for the delivery of infrastructure of this kind. I acknowledge that this area needs it. I will talk to Irish Water about it.”
“The chair of the CRU, Jim Gannon, indicated in September before the Oireachtas joint committee on Climate, Environment and Energy that the CRU received a significant number of responses to the consultation. He had originally indicated an intention to take the final decision in quarter 3 or quarter 4 of this year. However, given the significant number of responses and the balance of priorities it faces, the CRU now says the anticipated publication date is subject to fully addressing the complexities. We will talk to them again.”
“The CRU recently concluded its public consultation on the connection policy for large energy users, which is the issue raised by the Deputy. It considered the impact of future data centre connections on both national carbon emissions and the capacity of our energy and grid infrastructure. It continues to work towards a decision on a new electricity connection policy for data centres. The aim of the proposed decision is to provide a pathway for large energy users' connections to the electricity system, which addresses risks to security of supply and network constraints while minimising, where possible, potential negative impacts on national renewable energy targets and carbon emissions.”
“The income disregard for a single person is now up to €1,000. It will be five years. We will do it in the lifetime of this Government. That is our commitment. What we have done this year is in line with that timetable. I have discussed this with the Minister for Social Protection.”
“The issue does need to be tackled. I appreciate the Deputy raising this. We have to be careful too because we are also advocating for transport police. There is a danger that if we have multiple agencies, we would dilute the overall integration of An Garda Síochána. There has to be a balance in how we approach this. There has to be a dedicated traffic unit - there is one in An Garda Síochána - and there has to be strong co-ordination and co-operation with other agencies on safety.”
“The council has been asked to urgently prepare a specific action plan following the Water Action Plan 2024 framework and the Department of heritage will continue to support from a funding perspective national agricultural inspection programme inspectors to monitor farm compliance with good agricultural practice regulations, free advice and support for farmers and cofunding for supplementary measures under the farming for water European innovation partnership programme. Any additional funding will be considered once Wexford County Council makes and submits a business case.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, as he has previously. Lady's Island Lake is a priority area for action under the Water Action Plan 2024. All scientific, compliance, advisory and regulatory measures will be applied. There is close collaboration between Wexford County Council, the local authority waters programme, agricultural sustainability support and advisory and the farming for water European innovation partnership programme. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, has met key stakeholders and an oversight group for Lady's Island Lake has been established with the council chairing and Teagasc also involved.”
“I am on the record for a long time as saying expulsions from special education facilities are not a good thing and are not something I agree with, but I do not know the specifics of each case. It is problematic that we are discussing this in the Chamber too, because there are processes - and there have to be - between the education and training board, the Department, management in the school and parents to try to resolve these issues. I will talk to the Minister for education again. We have been in touch with the ETB as well in respect of the issue.”
“Again, I can ask the Minister to talk in more detail with the Deputy, but there is no sense, by the way, that it is the holy grail in terms of housing options. There could be significant issues with converting it to housing units or apartments. There may be lot of issues with building; I am surmising. It is a 200-year-old building and the Deputy knows all that. The HSE clearly did not find a use for it, notwithstanding the fact it provides a wide range of services to the community. I will ask the Minister for housing to give the Deputy any background on that she requires.”
“-----unhindered aid in, distributed by the UN. Hamas should stop what it is doing, in terms of its violence in Gaza and its intimidation of others. Hamas should stop as well and that needs to be said in this House, unequivocally.”
“No, I do not have that report. I am not sitting on any report. What I have articulated is common sense;, that is all. No decision has been taken by the Government. Goods are immediately traceable through customs documentation, as I said, certificates of origin and physical supply chains.”
“In the general election, the people voted for everybody who is in this House. We formed a government following the general election. That is a fundamental point. Motions in themselves are not going to improve services but-----”
“The Minister and the Tánaiste have met with Gillian and Stephen and the advocates in respect of any potential inquiry and its structures. There will be further meetings in respect of an inquiry. There are a number under way into specific aspects within CHI. Ideally, they should inform the structure and nature of the inquiry. We have to be clear-eyed and honest with people about that in terms of timelines and a whole range of issues. The fundamental objective is to improve services and get timely access for children to surgery. I accept we are all accountable but it is only nine months since this Government was elected by Dáil Éireann as a government.”
“Notwithstanding expertise and the various specialisms, basic communication with parents is something that can never be relegated as a priority. There have been issues in CHI in that regard. A fundamental decision has been taken by the Minister for Health to bring CHI under the aegis of the HSE. I support that strongly. It is important in light of what has emerged. I believe the Minister, Deputy Harris, acted in good faith all along in this respect. He made his commitment in good faith based on interactions he would have had with the health authorities at the time. We will continue to prioritise all aspects of this area in terms of surgical capacity, governance and communications between families and clinicians.”
“The objective from a Government perspective is that we consistently improve capacity in terms of human capacity - surgeons, anaesthetists and the entire teams that create the capacity in a children's hospital to do the surgery required - and that there is also better governance within hospitals, particularly within CHI. There have been quite a number of reports that have painted a very difficult, to say the least, picture in respect of some aspects of what has happened in CHI but those reports have been commissioned and published. I understand the anger and frustration felt by many parents and children. Communications between clinicians, hospitals and parents should be a primary consideration and need to improve. There can be many challenges along the way and along the journey of any child who requires hospital treatment and surgery.”
“I, along with many in the House, again offer my deepest condolences to Harvey Morrison Sherratt's family, his parents Gillian and Stephen, and to all those who have lost children in difficult and very challenging circumstances. I acknowledge and accept we need to do better in respect of the children of this country, particularly in terms of access to timely healthcare. Optimally, every child should receive treatment and a surgical intervention when it is recommended by the clinicians at the right time. It concerns me that children are waiting much longer than they should be for surgery, particularly spinal surgery for scoliosis.”
“I am just responding to the Deputy. This Government has done a lot, internationally, through the various international legal forums and so on. We have sought advice on one aspect, but I have referenced in the House on a number of occasions that the objective here is not to punish Ireland. I read out that section from the Oireachtas committee report in terms of repercussions for multinational companies based in Ireland. What will be the repercussions for them in the United States-----”
“"-----are unknowable and recommends that the Minister undertakes efforts to establish and publish a range of likely scenarios." Goods can be traced fairly easily through documentation, certificates of origin and physical supply chains. Services are a very different kettle of fish and we should all acknowledge that. I am just being honest; that is all. That is all I said yesterday.”
“In relation to the occupied territories Bill, I have been saying this for quite a while, and by the way I have read the Oireachtas committee report. In fairness, it makes the point, "The Joint Committee notes that no data was available to it to ascertain the quantity of Services imported from the Occupied Palestinian Territories and recommends that the Minister attempts to obtain and publish this information." The committee does not know. The Deputy used the word "huge". No one knows. It is not huge. We do not know. The report goes on to state, "The Joint Committee notes that potential repercussions from the international community, in terms of both international relations and economically,-----"”
“-----for Palestinian self-determination and the Deputy will never acknowledge that. She keeps on having a go at the Government all of the time about this aspect or another aspect but the reality is very clear and if you talk to the Palestinian Authority or Palestinians, they will say that.”
“I will answer the questions but the Deputy has made assertions and I am entitled to make assertions and make our point, which is that the Irish Government has been one of the strongest advocates for the Palestinian cause-----”
“Many of them were attending a music festival and - I am not saying the Deputy is doing this - there should be no equivocation about that. Likewise, illegally detaining Palestinians without any trial or evidence base is also wrong. It is 100% wrong and should not be condoned. The Irish Government, by the way, has been to the fore and if you talk to the Palestinian authorities-----”
“First, I will say that we earnestly hope that the peace will be sustained in Gaza. It is extremely important every effort is made to get huge volumes of humanitarian aid into Gaza, clean water and clean fuel in sufficient quantities to enable the people of Gaza to feed themselves, that the United Nations and all of its agencies would have primacy in distributing those goods, and that there would be sufficient deconfliction in Gaza to enable humanitarian workers and medics to do their work without the threat of violence or worse. That is, to me, now the most significant issue facing the people of Gaza, that that aid goes in unhindered, in line with the peace deal. The release of the hostages is a big moment and should be acknowledged. They should never have been taken as hostages in the first instance.”
“The Minister is working with the companies to help families who are in difficulty, and in particular those who are in arrears, by establishing hardship funds and making sure there will not be disconnections. That is over and above the measures we have taken to increase the fuel allowance for the working family payment cohort and to increase it more generally. The Minister has engaged with the companies in respect of those who are in arrears and particularly in terms of having no disconnections throughout the winter period.”
“I do acknowledge the issue. The Deputy mentioned VAT reductions. It costs to keep VAT at 9%. That has been factored in for the next five years. We should keep it at 9% for gas and electricity. There is a problem, a huge issue, here. Over the next five years, we have to invest triple what we invested in the grid in the last three years. There is going to be more investment in the grid. That simply has to happen to guarantee energy security and supply.”
“More crucially, it will provide recommendations in respect of structural reforms that can be undertaken to reduce the cost of energy and electricity. There have to be structural reforms. I know, politically speaking, that everybody wants to have their usual soundbites and have a go at this and that, but how prices in the energy market are determined is fundamentally a structural issue. The Minister will meanwhile continue to engage with the companies. We in the Government will take measures to protect people, particularly those on the lowest incomes. For those on the highest incomes, the Deputy is saying we should continue with the energy credits.”
“The programme for Government committed to an independent review into the speed and level of pass-through from wholesale prices to retail prices, with an additional assessment of the overall price dynamics and an overall focus on the competitiveness of our economy. The Minister established the national energy affordability task force to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. That task force will shortly publish an interim report and will consider measures to support customers throughout 2025 and 2026 and the forthcoming winter.”
“I understand the pressure on households and families as a result of energy price increases. We are living through a period of huge issues around energy, particularly since Russia invaded Ukraine. The Government has intervened, particularly at the height of that crisis, in a substantial way. However, retail prices are influenced by several factors, as the Deputy knows, including wholesale energy prices and supplier hedging. In Ireland, our long-standing reliance on fossil fuels, specifically gas, for electricity generation has been a driver of higher energy costs. That is a reality that the Deputy would have to acknowledge. It is a fundamental problem with our energy mix. Our location, as an isolated island, and our low density and widely dispersed population, also influence prices and have necessitated substantial investment in the grid.”
“I have just outlined the measures we have taken to help people, particularly those on low incomes. I am sure the Deputy agrees, by the way. I am sure she acknowledges the increase in the fuel allowance and its expansion into the working family payment cohort, and the reduction of the VAT rate to 9% for the next five years. I am sure the Deputy welcomes all of that-----”
“What has to happen overall is that the system has to change. He has set up a group to change the regulatory framework. We also have to do it with the European Union because gas has been the price-setter. The fundamental issue is the overall regulatory framework across Europe that governs the price of energy.”
“Sinn Féin wants to go another €4 billion or €5 billion, which would add 2% to inflation and increase the cost of living for people. We are about the eighth highest in terms of electricity prices across the EU 27, adjusted for purchasing power parity. The Minister has met with the companies. Anyone in arrears will be helped. People in arrears will be helped and assisted, outside of those on higher income thresholds. We have a regulator in this country, the CRU. It published a report in 2023. It is very conscious of the hedging policy. The CRU, not me, argues that when prices went up, the hedging impacted beneficially but it is slow coming back down. Companies should reduce the prices and should reflect much more quickly the wholesale price reductions. The Minister will continue to engage with those companies.”
“We have been very conscious in our budgetary measures to try to protect those most in need from the effects of energy price increases, which we acknowledge and which are difficult in themselves. We also have a very significant retrofitting budget, which does help those who benefit from that in terms of their household energy bill. About €558 million has been allocated this year for residential and community energy schemes, particularly the warmer homes scheme at about €280 million. Significant sums and resources have been allocated to get household energy costs down. About 8,000 energy upgrades in low-income households happened as a result of the warmer homes scheme. In previous years, yes, we did universal energy credits. We have been criticised for the high level of public expenditure.”
“That is why in the budget we moved to take a number of key decisions to reduce pressure on a number of families, particularly low-income families and those who depend on social protection, and families more generally. The Deputy knows that historically the VAT rate was at 13.5% for gas and electricity. In the budget, we reduced it to 9% and we have made that applicable up to 2030. It will stay at 9% for the next five years. That comes with considerable cost, but we have to do it; otherwise, prices would be up even higher. We have increased the fuel allowance to €38 a week. That is a 15% increase. That will give an additional €140 to over 460,000 recipients. We have expanded that payment to include those in receipt of the working family payment. We have not stood back.”
“Ní aontaím leis an méid atá ráite leis an Teachta maidir leis an méid atá á dhéanamh ag an Rialtas ó thaobh an bhrú atá ar chosmhuintir na tíre maidir leis an ardú sa chostas maireachtála. Admhaím go bhfuil ardú ann, go háirithe i gcúrsaí bia agus cúrsaí fuinnimh. Tá cinneadh déanta ag an Rialtas cóir agus tacaíocht a thabhairt do dhaoine ar ioncam íseal agus atá ag brath ar leasa shóisialaigh. The Government is very conscious of the enormous pressure on people on the ground in respect of the cost-of-living increases that have occurred over the last number of years, particularly the elevated food and energy prices relative to previous times.”
“We will say it in the context of our informed perspective and our evidence-based approach to these issues. To respond to Deputy Murphy on the occupied territories Bill, it is in committee. I have always repeatedly said in terms of services that we need to assess that. The Attorney General is coming back to us on a number of fronts - one is implementability, by the way. The feedback I am getting is it is not just implementable but, second, are you putting companies based here in a very difficult position through no fault of their own in respect of how that would be treated in the United States? These are ongoing matters and we are waiting for reports back. I will have to talk to the Tánaiste in respect of one specific-----”
“By the way, I have never moved on from Gaza and I do not intend to move on from Gaza. I visited Gaza in 2009 after that war. We have always been consistent as a country. The party I lead was the first party in Europe and in government to recognise the right of Palestinians to a homeland. It matters to our party. Let us not try to out-virtue each other here.”
“I have been saying this consistently. Check all of my remarks on social media. I am very strong on the genocide against civilians in Gaza and the slaughter of innocent children. Yes, there have been a lot of detainees without any trials or without any evidence. Others who were detained had history. Deputy Coppinger will never condemn Hamas for some reason. I have never heard her condemn Hamas in this room. I have never heard her condemn what Hamas did on 7 October.”
“Our ambassador in Cairo has been superb throughout this entire period in facilitating people to leave Gaza. Our ambassadors in Jordan and the UAE have all worked together. Do not ever underestimate the importance of diplomatic relationships in terms of doing the basic necessities and being there to keep the channels of communication open. I am glad we did not break off diplomatic relations for this reason, among others. I also pay tribute to the medics in Gaza. Deputy Martin Daly, who is a doctor, has raised this with me. He suggested to me in writing that they should get the Nobel Peace Prize for what they have done in the most extraordinary of circumstances, under huge threat to their lives. Many did die. The work they did is quite exceptional and should be recalled or acknowledged.”
“South Sudan is in a challenging position as well. We constantly raise it at European Union forums and at the UN to see what can be done to bring this to a resolution. On Gaza, Deputy Ó Cearúil is correct. I would pay tribute to President Trump for getting a ceasefire. It should have happened earlier. I thank the Deputy for paying tribute to our diplomatic corps. People wanted us to break diplomatic relations and call back our ambassadors from Israel and other places. Our ambassador in Israel has worked hard under a lot of pressure to represent Ireland and Irish citizens well in Gaza, on the flotilla or wherever. Our ambassador in Israel has been to the fore in providing consular services and doing her best to make sure our people do not come to any harm.”
“Russia is gathering information all of the time in respect of the critical economic infrastructure that everyone in Europe depends on and the world depends on. Deputy Shane Moynihan raised the issue of Sudan. He is one of the few Deputies who has raised it. Sudan is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. I spoke with the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, about Sudan. What is very disquieting about Sudan is the behaviour of other countries in the region, which are supporting one side or the other and using both sides as proxies in this war. These are countries that would have a different perspective on Gaza. The two do not match that easily. There is an inconsistency in approach, to say the least. Millions are starving and up to 12 million or 15 million people have been displaced in Sudan.”
“We will continue to co-ordinate and to work with others to gain knowledge. Cyberattacks cannot be defended against without working with others. It is about sharing knowledge, expertise and information. This is why we have an individually tailored plan with NATO in terms of the issue of cybersecurity, subsea cables, knowledge, expertise, mentoring and training. It is needed. We need to get over any squeamishness about this in the world we live in today. If people do not believe this stuff, their heads are in the sand in terms of the threats that are out there now. Deputies Malcolm Byrne and Shay Brennan have outlined them in no uncertain terms. This is what I have to say right now. We are taking all of it very seriously. We had a discussion on energy security earlier and there is no question that ships have been loitering.”
“We need a debate in the Dáil to increase the level of awareness in the House of what actually is happening and what Russia is up to. I repeat that critical subsea infrastructure is at risk from these types of activities. Our utilities are at risk. We had the HSE attack some years ago. We have to improve capability. Deputy Shay Brennan added to this. I will come back to Deputy Shane Moynihan's earlier point. I believe we have to co-ordinate with fellow member states in Europe to protect against these cyberattacks and to share knowledge and information on where some of the shadow fleet is loitering and where the shadow fleet is turning up. We have to work with like-minded member states in order to make sure that we know what is going on, that others know what is going on and that it is co-ordinated.”
“As was said at that meeting, there was one accident, two accidents, but there is a pattern. There is a pattern of behaviour from the Russian Government and President Putin over the last year and a half or more, which is aggressive and poses a risk to European security and defence, particularly vital sub-sea critical infrastructure, and many of our utilities through cyberattacks and hybrid attacks - drones or other type of attacks. The Baltic states, Poland and others have experienced these on their territory. It is very serious. There is no sense in this House at all about how grave the situation is. At best, you could say it is reckless. It is also happening in the United Kingdom. These hybrid-type attacks are reckless.”
“I thank all the Deputies who have raised a variety of questions. Deputy Malcolm Byrne raised an important issue in terms of Russia's aggression against Europe. I attended an event in the United Nations, chaired by Prime Minister Carney and President Zelensky and their respective spouses, in respect of the 20,000 abducted children. Ireland will continue to provide support. I would like to be in a position to support certain research in respect of those children to get them back. It is an appalling crime. The Deputy referenced the violation of airspace in Estonia, Romania, Poland and other countries, and, most recently, Denmark. This is where all European leaders were gathering at an informal gathering and the European Political Community was gathering.”
“As I reported to the House in my statement on 9 July, at its June meeting, the European Council discussed developments in Ukraine; the Middle East, including the humanitarian situation in Gaza; European defence and security; global economic developments; competitiveness; migration; preparedness; and the EU's internal security. Leaders also exchanged views on EU-US trade relations. The next meeting of the Cabinet committee is scheduled for 16 October when it will discuss items on the agenda of the European Council meeting that will take place on 23 and 24 October. It will also take stock of ongoing preparations for Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2026.”
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 24, inclusive, together. The programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland's Future, recognises the importance of Cabinet committees to the policy development and oversight work of Government. The Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs was established by the Government on 18 February 2025. Its role is to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union, including preparation of Ireland's Presidency in the second half of 2026, and international issues. The Cabinet committee last met on Monday, 16 June when it considered items on the agenda of the meeting of the European Council that took place on 26 June, the situation in the Middle East and the EU's future budget for the period beyond 2027.”
“I am sorry, Deputy Conway-Walsh. I was just saying that renewable energy is the key and the green transition is the key. I accept her point. One of the issues we have is the over-reliance on fossil fuel important on a number of fronts. Energy security is the key one, by the way. Everybody here is complaining about the decision to have a LNG facility. It would be utterly irresponsible if we do not develop that. My concern is the time line to develop it because we have no back up if anything was to happen to the interconnectors. That is a big security vulnerability.”
“I am kind of alarmed - there were terrible protests about having Leaders' Questions once a week and so on but the leaders of all the parties are not here at all. There we go. Deputy Conway-Walsh has left after asking her question. She will be back, I think, to be fair.”
“In this case the Deputy is saying the school is down a teacher and due to lose again next year. I do not know if that is because of population demographics in the area or not but we are investing a lot in education in recent years and we will continue to do that. Deputy Currie mentioned the exit tax rate in terms of funds and so on. I think the Finance Bill might be an opportunity for her to press that case with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe. That allows for more detailed examination of issues of that kind. I accept the basic principle that sustainable investment and good practice is what we should be encouraging and facilitating. To Deputy Conway-Walsh I would say renewable energy is the key. Deputy Conway-Walsh is gone.”
“We must be much more nimble. Then there are things like driving licences and all of that. There is a very legitimate issue in terms of people returning to live in Ireland from overseas and how we can reduce the barriers to them reintegrating into society and facilitating that. Deputy Murphy spoke about education. If a school is four pupils short, he knows it can appeal on the basis of developing school status to retain a teacher. That system has been there for a long time for retaining teachers. Over the last number of years, we have significantly reduced the pupil teacher ratio. I am not saying that is in this case but sometimes it depends on how a principal or the management of a school will deploy teachers. They may have other priorities and they may do it in different ways. That also happens.”