Results 42,321-42,340 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

State Visits (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: It was a very good and welcome visit, carried out in a very positive manner and, in my view, the Taoiseach made a good speech. I did not refer to the aspect of his quotation from the President's speech, which tells us a great deal. Clearly, when the Taoiseach implements all the policies of his predecessor without acknowledging them he pays homage to the policies of the outgoing Government....

State Visits (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: We can take some solace that this was really what the Taoiseach means, now that subordinated bondholders are being burned and Deputy Brian Lenihan's policy is being acted upon. However, the real issue, the core of my question, concerns a serious allegation. The Taoiseach's speech did not mention this - it was clearly decided not to mention it - namely, that the United States Administration...

State Visits (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: Did the Taoiseach ask the President to outline his views on the burning of senior bank bondholders? It is a simple question. This question does not apply to Ireland alone - it applies to the eurozone and across the globe. It is a simple and straightforward question. When the Taoiseach met President Obama, he had an opportunity to raise this fundamental issue and to ascertain the views of...

State Visits (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: They are.

State Visits (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: On subordinated debt about which the Taoiseach made play this morning, the bottom line is that is made possible by legislation brought in by the outgoing Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, that the Taoiseach trenchantly opposed at the time, but matters have changed and the Taoiseach is implementing that. The issue is the senior debt. In terms of the Taoiseach's meeting with...

State Visits (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: -----given he does not even raise it in significant encounters with persons of the calibre of President Obama. I simply do not understand it.

State Visits (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: President Obama will be meeting Chancellor Merkel this week. He could have had a discussion with her about it.

State Visits (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: That is how the system works.

State Visits (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: It is the same old stuff.

State Visits (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach has agreed with the new EU and IMF programme. He has made that decision.

State Visits (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: That is not true. There should be no comment on it.

State Visits (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: I am asking basic questions and the Taoiseach cannot answer them.

Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: It is not agreed. Today, the Government is putting in place the terms of reference for the new committees. This is deeply disappointing and is a retrograde step which will reduce accountability in this House and the capacity of the Dáil to have oversight over many Government Departments. It was a consistent theme of the Taoiseach's colleagues in the last Dáil that even single issue...

Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: The select committee on the environment, community and local government, transport, tourism and sport and arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht comprises another 21 members and covers a wide range of activities and responsibilities. Where can we get genuine, real and meaningful accountability in the unwieldy committees the Taoiseach proposes to establish? We all support reduced costs-----

Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: -----and have no difficulty with that but there is a more effective way of doing it than the way the Taoiseach is proceeding.

Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: He will reduce the effectiveness of Dáil committees, not enhance them with the measures that are before the House. I also oppose the guillotining of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill.

Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: It is not agreed to.

Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: I make the point that there are many aspects to be considered in this legislation. I do not believe there is any necessity to guillotine this Bill and shorten the duration of its consideration and time allocated for its debate in the House to the degree proposed by the Government. We have had many commitments about Dáil reform and many fine statements about accountability and strengthening...

Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Higgins is right and the Government knows he is right.

Official Engagements (8 Jun 2011)

Micheál Martin: Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach the reason he did not raise the issue of the interest rate on the British loan with British Prime Minister David Cameron during his recent meeting. [13625/11]