Micheál Martin: Cabinet priorities on settlements, infrastructure, care
Micheál Martin set out the Cabinet agenda today, announcing the Occupied Territories Bill, infrastructure updates and a new 10-year suicide reduction strategy. He outlined plans to accelerate delivery on water, energy, housing, infrastructure and public transport, and highlighted new skills and scholarship proposals.
Micheál Martin confirmed the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence will bring forward legislation to prohibit the importation of goods from the occupied territories, with particular reference to illegal settlements. The move is presented as a targeted trade measure discussed at Cabinet.
The Taoiseach reported significant progress on local projects, including wastewater plant upgrades in Waterford City. He said the Government remains focused on speeding up delivery of key water, energy, housing and public transport projects to meet urgent community needs.
Minister James Lawless updated Cabinet on a broadened scholarships programme and other skills initiatives. Micheál Martin stressed the importance of investing in talent, higher education and research to underpin future economic growth and competitiveness.
Mary Butler will bring a 10-year strategy on suicide reduction and self-harm to Cabinet. Micheál Martin noted Minister Butler's progress on mental health reform, including a recently passed comprehensive mental health bill, and said the new strategy follows extensive consultation across society.
Occupied Territories Bill
Micheál Martin confirmed the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence will bring forward legislation to prohibit the importation of goods from the occupied territories, with particular reference to illegal settlements. The move is presented as a targeted trade measure discussed at Cabinet.
Infrastructure and services update
The Taoiseach reported significant progress on local projects, including wastewater plant upgrades in Waterford City. He said the Government remains focused on speeding up delivery of key water, energy, housing and public transport projects to meet urgent community needs.
Skills, higher education and research
Minister James Lawless updated Cabinet on a broadened scholarships programme and other skills initiatives. Micheál Martin stressed the importance of investing in talent, higher education and research to underpin future economic growth and competitiveness.
Mental health and suicide prevention
Mary Butler will bring a 10-year strategy on suicide reduction and self-harm to Cabinet. Micheál Martin noted Minister Butler's progress on mental health reform, including a recently passed comprehensive mental health bill, and said the new strategy follows extensive consultation across society.
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Transcript
Busy agenda on the Cabinet today. Obviously the Occupied Territories Bill will be brought forward by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence and that will prohibit the importation of goods from the occupied territories, particularly the illegal settlements in the occupied territories. In addition to that there is further work on infrastructure, an update in terms of significant progress in terms of Waterford City, wastewater treatment, plant upgrade and Ballymoor Eustace as well. So the focus remains on speeding up delivery of key water, energy, housing, infrastructure and public transport. That continues to be unrelenting in terms of the Government's approach to those issues. Minister James Lawless, again updating us in terms of the skills area and also in terms of new proposals in terms of scholarships and broadening of that which is a very broad-based programme now in terms of making sure we have the talent, the skills and the investment in higher education and research to underpin our economy into the future. In addition, Mary Butler will be bringing to Cabinet a 10-year strategy on suicide reduction and self-harm reduction. I think Minister Butler is making significant progress in the entire area of mental health, having just succeeded in bringing a comprehensive mental health bill through the Oireachtas. The area of suicide reduction and self-harm is a key issue for many, many people in society and this is resulting from significant consultation across the board.