Latest news with #MícheálMartin
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
HSE intends to meet gardaí to discuss internal CHI report
The HSE has said it has decided to refer matters raised in the internal Children's Health Ireland report to An Garda Síochana and intends to meet gardaí very shortly to discuss it. The HSE said it has also decided that matters raised in the report will be referred to the Medical Council and it will discuss with CHI how this will be done. The Medical Council is the policing body for doctors' behaviour. Once the report has been received, gardaí will assess whether an investigation should be commenced and, ultimately, if a report should be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The unpublished report has caused shock in Government circles, with Taoiseach Mícheál Martin saying yesterday that the "essence" of the report should be made public given the disquiet it has triggered. The report, which has been seen by RTÉ News, concluded that "a root and branch review" of use of the National Treatment Purchase Fund and other waiting list initiatives "should be undertaken". It also said "the longest waiters were not seen at NTPF clinics" and that "45 children who required surgery did not receive a date for same and instead were placed back on one consultant's inpatient waiting list which has a significant wait time". The report was first referenced by the Sunday Times last month, when it reported that a consultant who has since retired had breached guidelines by referring public patients to the doctor's own weekend clinics.
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Echelon promises over 9,000 jobs as Taoiseach launches Wicklow data centres
Launched by Taoiseach Mícheál Martin, who also officially opened Arklow's Wastewater Treatment Plant this morning, the DUB20 and DUB30 facilities will see the rejuvenation of the underutilised, brown industrial site (IFI site), restoring the industrial area to its former resource as a major employer and economic hub, along with the creation of the DUB30 campus at Kish Business Park, just south of Arklow. The milestone launch came with a promise of huge investment in the region, with the expansive projects ensuring a capital investment that Senator Pat Casey commented would be the 'largest private capital investment in the history of Wicklow'. Echelon will invest an estimated €3.5bn to develop the DUB20 and DUB30 sites, creating around 2,600 direct jobs during construction and 715 permanent positions at the two facilities once they are operational. However, an Economic Impact Assessment report prepared for Echelon by KPMG has calculated that the potential economic output of the DUB20 and DUB30 sites could be as much as €7.5bn during the construction phase, and €801m per year once both campuses are operational. The report found that every €1 Echelon invests in the DUB20 and DUB30 sites could yield a return of €1.60 due to additional economic activity through supply chains and employee spending across construction and operational phases. It also found that for every 10 jobs created during construction, up to nine additional jobs will be supported elsewhere in the economy, while every 10 direct operational roles could sustain a further 16 jobs. Detailing the economic benefits of DUB20 and DUB30, Echelon's chief operating officer Graeme McWilliams said: 'Echelon's sites in Wicklow will generate broad-based economic value with measurable impact across the Irish economy that goes far beyond the initial investment. 'They represent responsible data centre development which supports regional development and job creation in partnership with good grid citizenship. 'The raw materials in Arklow are phenomenal, not just the actual sites, but the town itself and the broader community.' He added: 'DUB20, which we expect construction to begin on next month, will be the first large-scale data centre campus outside the Dublin metro area. It is an opportunity to rejuvenate this site and return it to a major source of employment and investment that is fully integrated into the community. 'From 2018, the Echelon strategy acknowledged early signs of energy grid capacity constraints, and the requirement for significant renewable power. Echelon focused on large regional sites, where energy wasn't constrained, and close to future renewable power projects. 'Echelon has invested heavily in state-of-the-art power generation systems, rather than being a burden to the electricity grid, Echelon contributes. Our sites will import power from the grid when available, but in times of constraints, our power generation systems actually export power to the grid.' Mr Williams also noted that the company is already prioritising local industry in their supply chain, which will expand as the projects commence, while also pledging to continue their investment in Wicklow communities, already evidenced by the €1.5m sponsorship deal with Wicklow GAA. 'It has taken since 2018 to progress these projects to where they are today, and during that time, we have also worked to embed ourselves into Arklow and the wider Wicklow communities,' he said. 'We have built relationships from a business perspective that we value very highly, including LMH Engineering, who are bringing their innovation to our project in Clondalkin, and we look forward to working with them on our Arklow projects. 'It's also been very important for us to develop relationships with the people of Arklow and County Wicklow, as seen in our long-term sponsorship of Arklow Rugby Club and Wicklow GAA . 'We look forward to continuing our support of these organisations, and widening our reach to other organisations in the future.' Echoing those sentiments, the Taoiseach said that, from conversations, he has 'a very clear grasp of the enormity of this project, and the potential for Arklow and Wicklow'. 'These campuses will contribute greatly to the local and wider economy, creating hundreds of full-time employment opportunities when it is operational, and thousands of jobs during construction,' he said. 'Echelon's agreement with SSE to develop shared grid infrastructure marks the first time in Ireland that an offshore wind farm and data centre have agreed to this. This is the model that will play an important role in reaching our energy and decarbonisation targets, while contributing to economic development. "These two large-scale facilities demonstrate Echelon's commitment to responsible data centre development. They are located in a regional area where the grid isn't constrained, they will have the capacity to generate and dispatch power to the grid when needed, and they will facilitate the generation of renewable energy resources that will, in turn, help decarbonise Ireland's electricity system. 'They are the model for future data centre development in Ireland – and they will deliver jobs and economic benefits for Wicklow, and will encourage further foreign direct investment in Ireland. 'I think today is a great day for Wicklow.' Local senator Pat Casey, who has been working diligently to see the Echelon projects come to fruition, said that the momentous day for Arklow and Wicklow also sends out a 'positive message to the international community that Arklow is ready and has the potential for future opportunities'. 'Earlier today, the Taoiseach officially opened Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant, a significant day over three decades in the waiting, and now with the launch of DUB20 and DUB30, today really is a milestone for Arklow and Wicklow. 'This is the largest private capital investment in Wicklow's history, with the two largest construction sites we'll see for decades. You will see thousands of construction jobs sustained over five years, and hundreds on completion, never mind the additional benefit that will be brought to the local economy and job creation. 'Arklow soon will be the home of several top ten tech companies in the world, if not the top five, locating their infrastructure and assets here.' The data centre launch was the second stop on the Taoiseach's tour of Arklow, having officially opened Arklow's €139 million Wastewater Treatment Plant earlier this morning. Joining councillors and TDs at the state-of-the-art facility in Ferrybank, the ceremonial opening marked a landmark moment for local representatives and community members who have campaigned to end a block on connections for new housing developments and the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Avoca River. After Wicklow leas cathaoirleach Melanie Corrigan spoke, the Taoiseach addressed the crowd, saying: 'It's great to be here in Arklow to open the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and I met the legendary Arklow councillor Pat Fitzgerald on the way in, who is claiming 40 years' credit for getting to this stage! 'I just want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to everyone involved. To say that this is an outstanding milestone of progress in terms of water quality in Ireland. 'This is a landmark facility, and a very important and impressive piece of modern infrastructure. 'One newspaper even had a headline asking if this was in fact the world's most beautiful sewage treatment plant, and it did win the prestigious Downes medal award, which is the Architectural Association of Ireland's highest honour. 'The community spirit of Wicklow has been evident throughout, because an essential project of this scale cannot happen without patience, and you have had an abundance of that, along with cooperation and support of the people of Arklow. 'Thank you for your engagement, and I hope you will reap the benefits and enjoy the outcome of many years of hard work.'
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Taoiseach urges Kneecap to clarify views on Hamas and violence as British MP calls for Glastonbury to drop Belfast rappers
Anti-terrorism police in the UK are examining a second vide of the rap trio allegedly calling for the death of Tory MPs. It follows the emergence of a video from a November 2023 appearing to show one Kneecap member saying 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Mícheál Martin said: 'We need clarity. This is what has been asserted, albeit at one or two public events. 'I think what would benefit the entire conversation is of Kneecap were to clarify really urgently their position in respect of Hezbollah, for example, and in respect of Hamas, and also their very clear denunciation of any violence or threat of violence against public representatives.' He said artists had always been facilitated in criticising policies but that any support of Hezbollah would be 'unacceptable". He said the terrorist group were responsible for the killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon and the 'appalling killing of innocent people on October 7'. The Taoiseach said: 'But it's not clear to me that they do, that Kneecap does support Hezbollah and Hamas. It's been asserted that they have made commentary in support of both. I think they need to urgently clarify that.' He said: 'We have had some horrific events in terms of the killing of MPs in Britain, so there's a huge responsibility on everybody to be very, very focused in terms of the protection of public representatives and the safety of public representatives, irrespective of what the reviews we have.' Mr Martin added: 'I think that that's very, very important in the broader scheme of things, in in arts and creative arts and so on that people are, you know, have always been facilitated in terms of their right to criticize particular policies and so on. There's no issue there. "That's all legitimate. But in terms of life and security and safety of people, that's a different issue." The group have also been condemned in a statement from British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesperson, and by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. A British Labour MP has also written to organisers of the Glastonbury Festival, urging them to remove Kneecap from the bill. David Taylor has written to organiser Sir Michael Eavis to say it would be 'deeply troubling' to see the band performing at the event in light of the 2023 video taken at one of their gigs. The band are listed to play on the Saturday of this June's festival. In his letter to Sir Michael, shared on X, the MP for Hemel Hempstead, said: 'By hosting such a group, Glastonbury Festival risks undermining its proud tradition of promoting peace, unity and social responsibility. 'It would be deeply troubling to see the festival provide a platform to individuals who advocate hatred and violence, especially at a time when political and social tensions are already high.' He added: 'I urge you to reconsider the decision to host Kneecap and remove them from the list of performers. 'Doing so would send a clear message that Glastonbury stands firmly against violence, terrorism, and political extremism in all its forms.' Mr Starmer's official spokesman said on Monday that the prime minister believes the comments from the band member were 'completely unacceptable' and 'condemns them in the strongest possible terms'.
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Taoiseach urges Kneecap to urgently clarify their views on Hamas and to denounce threats against politicians
Anti-terrorism police in the UK are examining a second vide of the rap trio allegedly calling for the death of Tory MPs. It follows another video appearing to show one Kneecap member saying 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Mícheál Martin said: 'We need clarity. This is what has been asserted, albeit at one or two public events. 'I think what would benefit the entire conversation is of Kneecap were to clarify really urgently their position in respect of Hezbollah, for example, and in respect of Hamas, and also their very clear denunciation of any violence or threat of violence against public representatives.' He said artists had always been facilitated in criticising policies but that any support of Hezbollah would be 'unacceptable". He said the terrorist group were responsible for the killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon and the 'appalling killing of innocent people on October 7'. The Taoiseach said: 'But it's not clear to me that they do, that Kneecap does support Hezbollah and Hamas. It's been asserted that they have made commentary in support of both. I think they need to urgently clarify that.' He said: 'We have had some horrific events in terms of the killing of MPs in Britain, so there's a huge responsibility on everybody to be very, very focused in terms of the protection of public representatives and the safety of public representatives, irrespective of what the reviews we have.' Mr Martin added: 'I think that that's very, very important in the broader scheme of things, in in arts and creative arts and so on that people are, you know, have always been facilitated in terms of their right to criticize particular policies and so on. There's no issue there.
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Taoiseach urges Kneecap to urgently clarify their views on Hamas and to denounce threats against politicians
Anti-terrorism police in the UK are examining a second vide of the rap trio allegedly calling for the death of Tory MPs. It follows another video appearing to show one Kneecap member saying 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Mícheál Martin said: 'We need clarity. This is what has been asserted, albeit at one or two public events. 'I think what would benefit the entire conversation is of Kneecap were to clarify really urgently their position in respect of Hezbollah, for example, and in respect of Hamas, and also their very clear denunciation of any violence or threat of violence against public representatives.' He said artists had always been facilitated in criticising policies but that any support of Hezbollah would be 'unacceptable". He said the terrorist group were responsible for the killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon and the 'appalling killing of innocent people on October 7'. The Taoiseach said: 'But it's not clear to me that they do, that Kneecap does support Hezbollah and Hamas. It's been asserted that they have made commentary in support of both. I think they need to urgently clarify that.' He said: 'We have had some horrific events in terms of the killing of MPs in Britain, so there's a huge responsibility on everybody to be very, very focused in terms of the protection of public representatives and the safety of public representatives, irrespective of what the reviews we have.' Mr Martin added: 'I think that that's very, very important in the broader scheme of things, in in arts and creative arts and so on that people are, you know, have always been facilitated in terms of their right to criticize particular policies and so on. There's no issue there. "That's all legitimate. But in terms of life and security and safety of people, that's a different issue."
