Micheál Martin

I've made my position clear in terms of where I think there can be derogations, and there doesn't need to be a picket.

I was involved in these issues in the previous government and agreement was hammered out at that stage - an agreement was arrived at, and we want to do well by honouring that agreement on all sides.

If that's not a platform for negotiations, I don't know what is.

I do not believe the basis exists for industrial action. I don't believe the public should have to endure that, because there have been significant tax cuts in the Budget, which will help workers.

I believe that parliamentary democracy matters. People may criticise it and so on, but it's not a routine sort of service. It is the expression of the democratic will of the people in parliament. I think that matters, and that should be…

I genuinely believe that dialogue is the way. I've always believed in dialog, and I think dialogue is the way to resolve this situation.

Incomprehensible and wrong

The Government was leaning towards a pause on carbon tax on home heating oil for the lifetime of the Government.

The rate of growth is declining. But to use words like ‘brutal’ is completely over the top, if you don't mind me saying so, and a gross exaggeration.

What we're witnessing is growth in expenditure.

We will be growing expenditure this year. There's no cuts here.

I think the word 'brutal' is over the top.

The matter had not been discussed to date and he could not "anticipate what new measures people might put forward at the 11th hour".

There would be a significant childcare package in the Budget.

The budget has to be about trying to ease the pressure on families and households.

I think for the United Kingdom under your leadership to take the stance that its taken, I think, is important for… standing up for humanitarian values and justice and fulfilling the rights of all in the Middle East to security, to peace…

We will be increasing it in the forthcoming Budget.

People are going to have to look at the Budget 'in the round' in terms of income tax reductions, a childcare package and cost of disability payments.

AI does represent an even greater challenge in terms of the capacities that will emanate from AI in terms of penetrating government systems and so forth.

Russia's actions have already had direct global impact, including increased food and energy costs.

Russia could halt its brutal attacks at any time. Yet it refuses to do so.

If we are to build greater stability, Iran must never have a nuclear weapon. Iran's destabilising influence across the region must cease.

We need to get back to meaningful, good-faith negotiations by all sides.

When the full truth of what has happened - what is still happening - in Gaza is finally known, when the evidence is gathered, when the testimonies are heard, when the true horrors are finally and fully revealed, it will shame the world.