Results 42,221-42,240 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: There is a measure on the Order Paper that could be implemented quickly if the Government agreed to debate in Government time.
- Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: The presidency Bill.
- EU Summits (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: Question 3: To ask the Taoiseach his contact with the French President Nicolas Sarkozy since 9 March 2011; the phone calls he has had with the French President; if he has had any direct meetings with him and if he has any plans to have any phone calls or direct meetings with the French President in the next few months. [16294/11]
- EU Summits (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: That shows what was going on before this Government took office.
- EU Summits (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: Arising from the Taoiseach's reply to Question No. 3, I find it incredible there has been no substantive bilateral meeting or discussion with President Sarkozy on better settlement terms for Ireland. The Taoiseach has acknowledged that in February all EU Governments agreed the need to improve conditions attaching to financial support for Ireland and other countries. This was formalised on...
- EU Summits (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: If there is a fundamental difference on an issue with a Head of State, I find it extraordinary that a meeting has not been held to deal with it. This is an issue that has already been agreed. An interest rate reduction essentially was agreed to at the meeting on 11 March; it is its implementation that has been delayed. Ultimately, it will be agreed to. Having all of these hyped-up...
- EU Summits (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: -----does not add anything to French-Irish relationships and so on. Has the delegation to the Finance Ministers been a manoeuvre to circumvent Mr. Sarkozy? Are people afraid of him or are they simply trying to resolve the issue around him? It is difficult to comprehend, given the priority the Taoiseach attaches to the issue, the reason he has not sought a meeting with him. On general...
- EU Summits (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: I am coming to it, as I am entitled to do. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, was left trying to claim credit for a change we had not sought to a fund we did not want to access. Ultimately, there will be an interest rate reduction and the Taoiseach will obviously claim that some deep strategic manoeuvre was responsible for it. Why has an Irish rate reduction which was agreed...
- Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach if he will outline consultations which he has held with political parties and non-governmental organisations regarding proposals for Constitutional amendments. [16286/11]
- Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach the reason no consultations have been held with opposition parties and groups concerning the establishment of the Citizen's Assembly. [16292/11]
- Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach did not answer Question No. 7. Question No. 6 deals with constitutional amendments, while Question No. 7 relates to the establishment of the citizens' assembly.
- Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: There are two separate questions. To deal with Question No. 6 first, there are three constitutional amendments to be voted on in October. While the Taoiseach seems to focus on the particular issue of the abolition of the Seanad, three constitutional amendments have been committed to. However, there has been no consultation on the principles or details with any party in the House, which is...
- Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: Actions speak louder than words.
- Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: We are not being consulted - that is the point. The Taoiseach stated in the programme for Government that as a matter of practice there would be consultations prior to the drafting of Bills and other legislation. However, there has been no attempt to do this. I would have thought that, in the context of a profound matter such as a constitutional amendment of the type the Taoiseach has...
- Constitutional Amendments (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: Question No. 7 concerns the citizen's assembly. Given consultation is its core purpose, the fact that we have had no consultation is remarkable. It is supposed to be legislated for over the next four weeks. Does the Taoiseach accept that will not happen? Can he explain what will be done before the legislation is published or passed to ensure the assembly is properly established and has...
- National Partnership Agreement (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach if he will detail efforts undertaken in his Department in relation to implementing the Croke Park agreement's terms in its operations. [16288/11]
- National Partnership Agreement (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: I welcome the Taoiseach's comments last week where he praised the implementation of the Croke Park agreement. The evidence is that public servants are actively engaging in the process of delivering reforms and efficiencies. It is time that the rhetoric acknowledged this rather than being the empty tough talking some Ministers have engaged in regarding the agreement. Given the Taoiseach has...
- National Partnership Agreement (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach is on record as saying the agreement was being ignored and so on. He has changed his tune in this regard and that is welcome but he should be clear about that. The Taoiseach's Department has a great deal of expertise in the handling of social partnership agreements and so on. Has he any remaining involvement in the partnership process and reform following the restructuring of...
- Leaders' Questions (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: Last night the Short Strand area of Belfast saw its second night of serious disturbances. While it has been a flashpoint for decades, both the scale and nature of the violence are extremely serious. The only point on which there is clarity is that there are small groups which seek to inflame and exploit the situation. I am sure all Members will agree such people cannot be allowed to...
- Leaders' Questions (22 Jun 2011)
Micheál Martin: The prize of peace has been hard won and the two Governments, together with the Northern Ireland Executive, must act with absolute resolve. It is clear the institutions which have been built up through the peace process are strong and that what is now needed is a redoubling of efforts on all sides to reach communities which are being targeted by such groups which wish to return to an endless...