Tag Archives: Taoiseach Micheál Martin

TAOISEACH Micheál Martin has intervened in the controversy over the ending of a farming scheme designed to protect the world-famous ecosystem of the Burren. The matter was raised with by Deputy Michael McNamara who told him that farmers participating in the Burren Programme and on the Slieve Aughtys would lose out in the new ACRES scheme. In the Dáil, the Independent TD called on the Taoiseach to review plans to subsume the programme into ACRES Burren Aran.  “The new ACRES scheme will disadvantage the farmers in that [Burren] scheme as it were the farmers on the Slieve Aughtys who are in the Hen Harrier area. The standard they will have to reach is lower, but they’ll get less money.” Responding, the Taoiseach said farmers should not suffer a loss of income due to the new ACRES scheme. “I will take that up with the Minister of Agriculture, because we want more and more people engaged in environmental friendly farming. I …

Dan Danaher asked Taoiseach Micheál Martin about some key Clare political and social issues DD: Clare home owners affected by pyrite have been excluded from the latest mica scheme. There is a lot of frustration in the county over this. What do you say to these people? MM: I think there is further information to come, is my understanding, and there is further engagement with the minister and the department. On the receipt of that information, I understand the minister will be positive in his response to that. Our view is to work with groups locally with a view to inclusion, that is the general approach. My understanding is there has been interaction and engagement, which will continue. DD: It is taking a long time to approve a scheme, can you understand the frustration if your house is crumbling? MM: The manifestation of this in terms of the presentation to the minister was a lot longer in Donegal. We are …

HARSH criticism was levelled at the Taoiseach over his response to Clare TDs when they asked him about this county’s access to the defective blocks grant scheme. A meeting in Ennis last Friday (December 3), of those affected by pyrite, was told Deputies Joe Carey and Cathal Crowe had been “dismissed” and “insulted” by Micheál Martin. Vice-chair of the Clare Pyrite Action Group, Mary Hanley said the Taoiseach’s response to questions about the revised defective blocks grant scheme, which makes no mention of this county, was also an insult to homeowners here. The retired school principal from Drumline, who showed her home to Minister Darragh O’Brien in August, said: “Basically, the Taoiseach dismissed Joe and Cathal. He was rude. He didn’t give a continental about us. … He was so dismissive. It really insulted me. … It was an insult to you, Cathal and to Joe. “As far as I’m concerned, ye are doing as much as ye can. If …

DEPUTY Cathal Crowe has confirmed he will not support any motion of no confidence, if one is tabled against an Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the near future. Media reports have claimed that rebel Fianna Fáil deputies are plotting behind the scenes to oust Deputy Martin as leader after a series of poor opinion polls. There is growing unease within the party after its worst ever 4.6% share of the first preference vote in the Dublin Bay South constituency recently. Speaking to the Clare Champion, Deputy Crowe said the Taoiseach is doing a good job leading the government, which has prevented the economy from imploding and also saved lives in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. He believes the Fianna Fáil party needs to “settle” itself now and avoid any leadership contest at the moment, which would be very destabilising for the party and the country. However, once Deputy Martin’s term as Taoiseach ends, he feels this would be an ideal …

ENNIS-based Retail Excellence has issued an angry response to the time-frame for the return of non-essential retail services. Duncan Graham described his organisations 2,000 members as being “deeply shocked and disappointed” at the government’s decision to defer the return of non-essential retail and Click and Collect services, which enable shoppers to order online and to pick up their goods in-store. Earlier this week, Retail Excellence had launched a campaign advocating strongly for the return of click and collect services from next week. The group argued that, given the change in the seasons and the urgent need for families of small children to be able to buy clothing and shoes, that limited services should be allowed to return immediately. There was huge alarm in the retail sector at Tuesday night’s announcement on the phased easing of lockdown. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, made it clear that that Click and Collect services will not resume until early May, with most ‘non-essential’ in-person retailing likely …

TAOISEACH Micheál Martin has pledged to raise Dáil deputies’ concerns over the delay in the completion of a €58 million major road linking Coonagh with Meelick. Dáil deputies in the Mid-West are becoming increasingly frustrated with repeated deferrals for a date to start work on the final part of the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road. Deputy Cathal Crowe tabled a Dáil question recently asking the Transport Minister Eamon Ryan what is the status of the progression of Phase One of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road and if he would make a statement on the matter. Limerick Deputy Kieran O’Donnell told the Dáil the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Road in Limerick is one of only 13 projects specifically mentioned to progress during the National Development Plan. Furthermore, 30% of the project totalling €17 million has already been spent out of €58 million, with advanced works already concluded. “Page 26 of the Programme for Government states the process of review of the National …

“NOT only are we frightened for our exams, but we are frightened for our lives, and the lives of those around us.” Those are the words of Ennis Leaving Certificate student Jake O’Loughlin who is pleading with the Taoiseach Mícheál Martin and the Minister for Education Norma Foley to listen to students’ worries about how Covid-19 will affect this year’s state examinations. The Gaelcholáiste an Chláir student believes that the government have up until now “been extremely hesitant to listen to the pleas of my fellow students” and he is calling for clarity on plans for the Leaving Cert this year. He says there is “intense worry” among students. He expresses appreciation to the Taoiseach and Minister for Education for “finally addressing the physical health of me, my fellow students and our families, by not forcing us to return to school on January 11”. However, he insists that the government needs to address the mental health of students immediately. “The …

CLARE County Councillors have decided to adopt a Local Property Tax (LPT) at 15% above the standard rate for next year, despite an appeal from one councillor to reduce this charge. Last year, councillors agreed to increase the LPT 15% above the standard rate and this was retained again this year without a vote following a meeting in Glór on Monday. However, councillors have warned the General Municipal Allocation (GMA) must be retained at this same level to support community projects this year, which could prove to be extremely difficult for the local authority following a huge decline in its income stream due to the devastating impact of Covid-19. Councillor Donna McGettigan proposed the council should reduce the LPT rate in view of the uncertain times facing householders some of whom were in mortgage arrears. Her proposal was not seconded or supported by any other councillor. The need to increase the GMA considering the key role it plays in the …