Results 32,741-32,760 of 51,015 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Order of Business (8 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: Last February the Taoiseach informed the House that the average water charge would be known before the local and European elections in May. This was a modification of what he said earlier, when he made it clear to the House that individual householders would know their water bills before the local elections. He subsequently modified that to "the average". He told the Dáil: "[T]he...

Leaders' Questions (8 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach answered two from the three questions, which I appreciate.

Leaders' Questions (8 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: The first question was whether the Taoiseach was aware of the issue and the second concerned appearances of Ms Kerins and Mr. Flannery before the Committee of Public Accounts. The other question was whether it is right and ethically correct for an organisation such as Rehab to pay one of its directors to lobby Ministers and Departments. Does the Taoiseach believe that is right, given the...

Leaders' Questions (8 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: Is it right?

Leaders' Questions (8 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: It might affect some of the Minister's former colleagues in the tobacco industry.

Leaders' Questions (8 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: Rehab Group has appointed the independent management consultant Dr. Eddie Molloy to advise on strategy, rebuild morale within the organisation and repair a damaged reputation, according to its own press release. It also talks about the damage done to other charities because of the serious issues raised regarding the operation of Rehab. Many issues have emerged recently, in particular the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (8 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: 96. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has had recent discussions with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland regarding equalising corporation tax rates between Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8926/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (8 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: 97. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has had recent discussions with Prime Minister Cameron on equalising corporation tax rates between Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8927/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (8 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: 98. To ask the Minister for Finance if tax cuts have been discussed at his latest meeting with the social partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10349/14]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (8 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: 255. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if pay rises were discussed at his last meeting with the social partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10349/14]

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality; and Defence: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: Taken with the Secretary General's confirmation that he briefed the Minister on the issue, this directly contradicts what we have been told on the record of this House.

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality; and Defence: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: While each morning we find a new informed leak from Government seeking to explain their actions, nothing credible has yet been said.

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality; and Defence: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: The most recent anonymous briefing says that they were scared that tapes were about to be destroyed. In reality, they received a briefing from the Attorney General and Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality, both of whom knew - as the letter of 10 March stated - that the tapes were "Now stored securely in Garda Headquarters pending the finalisation of legal advice". The...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality; and Defence: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: It has been claimed during this debate that the Minister, Deputy Shatter, is somehow a uniquely reforming Minister. This is just not true. His predecessors in the Department generated an average of 15 to 20 Acts per year and these often had a profound, reforming impact. Many of the Acts brought forward by the Minister have been good and we supported them. However, some important measures...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality; and Defence: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: One must ask how the claims that the Minister is completely on top of his portfolio sits with his hiding from the media for the past month. It is over three weeks since he last gave an interview of any type. He has turned down interview requests from every broadcaster and every newspaper in the country.

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality; and Defence: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: This is unprecedented in our modern history. There is no example of a Minister embroiled in a major controversy who has refused - for so long - to be interviewed.

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality; and Defence: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: Those in the media cannot expect to have politicians available to them whenever they want but in a modern democracy, a holder of major public office has no right to hide from interviews, limiting appearances to a Dáil Chamber whose agenda and format is tightly controlled by his Government. Of what is the Minister so afraid? How can we be expected to have confidence in a Minister for...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality; and Defence: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: How can we be expected to have confidence in a Minister for Justice and Equality who will not be publicly interviewed about a major crisis in his area? How can we be expected to have confidence in a Minister for Justice and Equality when the Taoiseach left him in the dark for 24 hours about a major issue concerning his Department? How can we be expected to have confidence in a Minister for...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality; and Defence: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: The newspapers are full of off-the-record comments from backbenchers and Ministers alike agreeing that the Minister, Deputy Shatter, has behaved disgracefully. The actions of the Taoiseach and the Cabinet show that they do not have confidence in the Minister to address the rising crisis of confidence in his handling of the Department of Justice and Equality. Those opposite have already...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality; and Defence: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Apr 2014)

Micheál Martin: There is, unfortunately, a long and dishonourable tradition of a tiny minority abusing politicians and Ministers, in particular those of the Jewish faith. Everybody in this House is united in condemning this. The people who do things like this should be found and prosecuted.