Results 42,781-42,800 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Leaders' Questions (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: I am just coming to my question. Will the Taoiseach instruct his Ministers to commit to publishing, in the documents that will be issued next week supporting the jobs initiative, details of all activities that have already been planned and those that are to be stopped in order to fund the initiative itself?

Order of Business (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: On behalf of my party, I warmly congratulate the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Creighton, on her marriage to a colleague from Cork, Senator Bradford. The Minister of State has displayed discerning acumen and taste in terms of moving south to choose a valued partner. Judging from replies given on Leaders' Questions, I suspect it might be some time before we deal...

Order of Business (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: I did.

Order of Business (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: In light of increased global connectivity, the time is right to formalise its strategic importance to the country. Bestowing upon it formal representation in Seanad Éireann would do that. Given the huge majority the Government will enjoy in the Upper House, I make this constructive suggestion in a positive way. In light of the Taoiseach's visit to the United States tomorrow, even the...

Order of Business (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: The announcement on business on Monday next was made during Easter Week. Clearly, the Minister of State was extremely busy at the time. We welcome the holding of the special session in the Dáil. The programme for Government states a Europe Day debate will be held and I welcome the fact that European parliamentarians and the European Commissioner will have an opportunity to speak....

Constitutional Convention (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the proposal in the programme for Government for a constitutional convention. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment to the House that the convention's remit will be wide enough to allow for a real debate about radical reform of the Dáil and its relationship with the Government? The Taoiseach mentioned reform of the electoral system. Does that mean merely a reduction in the number...

Constitutional Convention (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: How does the Government propose to define the composition of the convention? I have heard various suggested comments, in terms of one third experts, one third the public via a jury system and one third Members of the Oireachtas. Will the Taoiseach give serious consideration to ensuring that elected public representatives are given a substantive input into the work of the convention not...

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach his plans to increase transparency in the system of making appointments to State boards [5908/11]

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: Question 3: To ask the Taoiseach if it is his policy to advertise appointments to all State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6655/11]

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: I have two questions, Nos. 2 and 3, on the same issue. While not wanting to get involved in party political point-scoring, for decades every Government, before its dissolution after a general election, appointed people to State boards as vacancies arose. On the Taoiseach's last day in office as Minister for Tourism and Trade he appointed a Fine Gael trustee to the board of Bord Fáilte.

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: We can all-----

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: While I welcome the change, I do not believe it is dramatic. I am conscious that even Sinn Féin, for example, had made comments-----

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: I have two. I am building up to them and will ask them if allowed without interruption. Although I heard Sinn Féin articulate concerns about this system, it was no slouch when it came to North-South bodies, for example. With regard to the Northern Ireland Executive-----

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: -----there was a Sinn Féin nominee and a DUP nominee and one could take one's pick. We should not have lectures across the House or be politically cynical about this.

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach has admitted the vast majority of the 108 nominees were of good quality. I come to my point.

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: Does the Taoiseach agree that the reforms introduced by a Minister in the previous Government, Mr. Eamon Ryan, went further than those being proposed in that he actually gave authority to a committee to nominate individuals, particularly in the broadcasting arena? It was a novel approach that he adopted with the sanction of the previous Government. While what we are witnessing is welcome in...

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: Given that the policy and the parameters of any State agency are set by the Government and the Oireachtas in legislation, it does not fall within the remit of a new chairperson to dramatically change them. What one will be examining is the competence, qualifications and the capacity of the person to chair a board. In that instance, given the majority the Government has in the House and will...

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach will agree that the committees already have the right to talk to the chairperson of a State agency and, indeed, they frequently do so. I ask the Taoiseach to reconsider the idea, even on a pilot basis in the case of some State agencies, of sharing the authority with committees of the House.

Constitutional Convention (3 May 2011)

Micheál Martin: Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach if he will outline details for the Programme for Government commitment to establish a constitutional convention; the legislative basis intended for the convention; and if the 12 month reporting deadline is from 9 March 2011 or from the date of establishment. [8191/11]

Written Answers — International Organisations: International Organisations (21 Apr 2011)

Micheál Martin: Question 29: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the role if any he will play in preparations for Ireland's chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2012; and the role if any he proposes to play in this chairmanship. [7684/11]