Results 40,821-40,840 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Official Engagements (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: I thank the Taoiseach for his response. I note the meetings that have taken place. The Croke Park agreement is another area in which the Government is claiming credit even though the Government parties originally bitterly opposed it. The act of the Minister, Deputy Howlin, as the great reformer is not fooling anybody. Does the Taoiseach agree that public servants have made a significant...
- Official Engagements (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: May I ask-----
- Official Engagements (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: There has been a substantial reduction in public servant numbers from 2008 onwards. However, the Government intends to go beyond the numbers achieved up to end 2010 and to seek a further reduction of 25,000. Perhaps the Taoiseach will clarify if that remains the Government's intention and if that matter was discussed with ICTU and representatives of the public service unions. On the...
- Official Engagements (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: Perhaps the Government will set aside time in the House next week for discussion on the directive so Members can articulate their views on it and the social partners can hear what a broad representative sample of the House have to say on it and its impact on jobs and unemployment. A criticism which the Taoiseach would have levelled when on this side of the House, with some validity, was that...
- Official Engagements (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: -----and for the multinational companies here which employ large numbers of people seasonally, in particular leading up to Christmas, in the area of consumer and technology products and in a range of other areas. I do not wish to name any companies. However, they do employ substantive numbers of people and have done in recent years owing to their success in terms of the products they have...
- Official Engagements (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: What happens if the Government does not meet the EU deadline? I am only seeking a debate on the directive. As I understand it, there must be agreement between the social partners before the Minister can proceed with the derogation. The Government could, therefore, be in a stalemate situation by 5 December and the directive would then by default come into play. There is a legitimacy in...
- Job Creation (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: Question 13: To ask the Taoiseach the meetings he has attended at Cabinet sub committee and or at official level on job creation. [32727/11]
- Job Creation (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: I tabled this question because the unemployment situation is, without question, the most important issue facing the Irish people. The domestic economy is extremely flat and it is calling out for fresh initiatives and new ideas on how new opportunities can be created for people who are unemployed and for the many young people coming out of the colleges. The House has just discussed the...
- Job Creation (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: This suggests to me that the focus on job creation is being lost as a result-----
- Job Creation (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: -----and hence there is an excessive focus on issues like capital spending which can make a fundamental difference to the productive capacity of the economy and create jobs.
- Order of Business. (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: I was somewhat surprised by the Taoiseach's confirmation of the resignation of the Minister of State, Deputy Willie Penrose. On a personal level, I got on very well with the Deputy over the years. Will the Taoiseach outline to the House the reasons the Minister of State resigned and the implications of this for the implementation of legislation already committed to, in particular that...
- Order of Business. (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: Does this resignation confirm the closure of the four barracks, in Mullingar, Cavan, Clonmel and Castlebar? When does the Taoiseach anticipate replacing the Minister of State? Will he outline any implications for the programme for Government? This is the second resignation from Government parties this year. Does the Taoiseach anticipate any further resignations before the end of the year?
- Order of Business. (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: Was any effort made to prevent the resignation?
- Order of Business. (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: It seems extraordinary this is happening, given the enormity of events-----
- Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: I welcome the fact that after eight months and five summits the Taoiseach will finally hold a bilateral summit tomorrow with a leader of a eurozone country. As we have been pressing him on since last June, there is an urgent need for the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to do more than just talk about diplomatic initiatives. Now that he is finally meeting Chancellor Merkel the big question...
- Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: We have a cross-party mandate on corporation tax which the Taoiseach agreed with all parties in the House before a European summit meeting. I do not accept his view that we cannot work to try to develop a cross-party consensus on matters pertaining to Europe and the national position. It is incredible, in the teeth of the worst eurozone crisis ever, that he appears to have indicated he...
- Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: Will the Taoiseach follow up on her comments? Another summit next week is due to agree a framework for reforms of the European Union, yet the Taoiseach has not yet made a single substantive point on what Ireland's position will be on this matter. Some weeks ago in the House he stated he did not have any idea what was being talked about and he was only talking about limited treaty change....
- Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: Eight months ago, the Taoiseach stated he would undertake the biggest diplomatic initiative of all time.
- Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: I have actually.
- Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2011)
Micheál Martin: Will the Taoiseach set out his views at the meeting?