Micheál Martin: Urgent call to stop the war, Cork and infrastructure plans
Micheál Martin sets out Government business for the day, outlining a new infrastructure bill, the establishment of a Cork City Futures Group and proposed regulations under Graces Law. He places the war in the Middle East at the centre of concern, urging an end to the conflict and condemning disproportionate actions in Lebanon and the killing of peacekeepers.
Main points
Micheál Martin previews an infrastructure bill being published by Minister Jack Chambers to accelerate priority projects and support planning and regulatory decision-making. The measure is presented as a key step to speed delivery and boost investment.
Cork City Futures Group
He confirms a memo to Government to establish the Cork City Futures Group, tasked with maximising Cork's potential as an economic engine for the southern region and strengthening the city centre as the Docklands develop.
Public safety measures
Micheál Martin says Darragh O'Brien will bring regulations under Graces Law to ban the use of scramblers in public places, framing this as an important public-safety intervention.
International context and consequences
He describes the war in the Middle East as the most serious global issue facing Ireland and calls for an end to the conflict. He condemns disproportionate responses in Lebanon and highlights the shocking loss of life among peacekeepers, warning of economic and energy impacts.
Next steps and implications
The statements set the Government's immediate agenda: legislative action on infrastructure and public safety at home, and urgent diplomatic concern and economic monitoring in response to the conflict abroad. The speech signals prioritisation of regional development, public safety and international responsibility.
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A number of items on Cabinet today. A critical infrastructure bill being published by Minister Jack Chambers. A lot of progress made quickly in terms of the accelerating of infrastructure and that will enable us to identify for the Planning Commission and indeed for other regulators the prioritisation of certain projects to get them accelerated and that's an important piece of legislation. We're bringing a memo to Government today and bringing one to establish the Cork City Futures Group which is to look at how we maximise and optimise the potential of Cork as an engine of economic growth in the southern region of the country. It has made significant progress but we want increased regionalisation and stronger economic hubs across the regions and the Cork City Futures Group will be asked to focus in on how we enhance and particularly the Cork city centre area of the city as the Docklands develops at pace. Dara O'Brien will be bringing in regulations in terms of Graces Law, in terms of the banning of the use of scramblers in public places and obviously we will discuss the impact of the war in the Middle East on the economy and on energy supply and prices. That is by any yardstick the most serious issue facing us and facing the world. We want the war to stop. We want the absolutely disproportionate response by Israel in Lebanon to stop and the loss of life of peacekeepers is shocking and the disregard for the life of peacekeepers as evidenced in the last number of days is something that has to stop as well.
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