Results 31,241-31,260 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: This increasingly chaotic approach to policy, where ministerial actions ignore and make major problems worse, has been seen in nearly every Department and there is no reason to believe it will end soon. As Fianna Fáil pointed out repeatedly during the past year, housing pressures were escalated by the Tánaiste’s decision to restrict housing benefit and cut and cap rent...

Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: At local level, the Tánaiste's party in Dublin, with Fine Gael support, earlier this year tried to cut homeless services until forced to retreat by our councillors. I welcome the new commitment of the Government to allocate emergency funding for homelessness-----

Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: -----but this will be merely a sticking plaster if the more serious policy mistake of cutting housing benefit and rent supplement is not reversed. Unfortunately, we have heard nothing from the Government to suggest it understands this. There is growing evidence that the combination of neglect and targeted cutbacks is allowing the scourge of drugs to spread in more and more communities....

Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: This shows itself in the reality of what has been happening. There has been a sustained withdrawal of State support for marginalised communities and drugs have been seen as only important as a public order issue. The social devastation that drugs cause is nowhere on the Government's agenda and was missing from the complacent and self-satisfied speeches of the Government we have heard to...

Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: Reflecting on the debate and the speeches we have just heard, I would like to remark that the great phrase, "Frankfurt's way or Labour's way", does not sound too dissimilar to "Europe can bugger off".

Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: No, it is not. It is on foot of what I have just heard. In many respects, the debate is a perfect illustration of why the people have for a long time and in ever greater numbers lost confidence in this Government. Elected with the largest majority in our history and even backed by the genuine goodwill of non-supporters, Fine Gael and the Labour Party had an unprecedented opportunity to...

Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: Hear, hear.

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: I do not know. I am making the point.

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: We are meant to be experiencing a democratic revolution and this is all meant to be changed. Having Leaders Questions, for example-----

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: I would trade any time on my record in the Dáil or in committees as a Minister answering questions. I would do that any time.

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: I never had any difficulty in that regard. We are having Leaders Questions at 5.30 p.m. The Order of Business will be at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. tonight.

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: That will be after spending six hours in here.

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: Does it not strike anybody as being a bit absurd or ludicrous? Business will be ordered after it has already been ordered and having had questions on it.

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: Not at 7 p.m. and after a debate.

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: A more sensible approach would have been to have the Order of Business and Leaders Questions now, with the confidence debate afterwards for three or four hours. It brings the Dáil into disrepute to have a very significant issue like the Water Services Bill - let us not pretend it is insignificant - at 11 p.m. until 12 midnight.

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: That would have made more sense. Recent late-night debates have not been very good value for the Dáil in terms of public image, so we need some cop-on and common sense. That is why I object to the manner in which this is going on, although I have no difficulty in debating the motion of confidence, giving it some degree of priority or the Government taking the initiative and putting up...

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: Note the language. They are "giving" them three hours. That is instructive.

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: That was brilliant.

Business of Dáil (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: When the Opposition tables a motion of no confidence in the Government, there is always a precedent for the Government to respond by way of a motion of affirmation or confidence in itself. However, there is absolutely no need to do what the Chief Whip is doing today concerning the schedule of the Dáil, as well as political reform and Dáil reform. If I understand it correctly, we...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (9 Dec 2014)

Micheál Martin: 274. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has received correspondence in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Down; if their serious allegations were sent to the panel of barristers; when they may expect an outcome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47236/14]