Results 18,981-19,000 of 50,830 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions: Broadcasting Sector (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: When we say in "a platform-agnostic fashion", I think there is a view emerging that there has been a seismic change in terms of non-traditional media, such as those using online platforms. As Deputy Ó Ríordáin stated, that has impacted on the quality of life of journalists and the quality of the job itself. It is extraordinary that those currently working in journalism must...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am somewhat amused by some of the contributions from the Deputies opposite. Deputy Conway-Walsh said she did not want me to lecture her. I have no intention of doing so.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: Sorry now, I did not interrupt anybody. I would equally ask Deputy Conway-Walsh not to lecture me. Since first coming into this House I have had a commitment to North-South relationships and to the issue of the future of this island. That has been my principal interest. I have worked hard behind the scenes and as a Minister to develop collegiate arrangements with people of all political...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: If we shout "united Ireland" better than somebody else, we are more deserving of grassroots support.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: It is much more profound and complex than that.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The Good Friday Agreement is an excellent agreement. It is about time a lot of people worked the agreement. I am prepared to work the agreement in all its aspects. The problem is that too many people for far too long were not prepared to work the agreement.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I do not. That is an outrageous assertion.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: No. You are wrong again.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I do endorse-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am speaking through the Chair.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am answering the question. I did not interrupt any other Deputies when they spoke. I have been heckled since I began to speak and there have been efforts to interfere. With the greatest respect, I would appreciate the protection of the Chair when I have the floor. Regarding the questions around the shared island unit, it is a noble objective to work with all sides to enable people to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am all for discussion. I have engaged in discussion on all fronts with all people involved in the North. The shared island unit can do a lot of useful work in the areas we have mentioned, including health, the range of issues concerning justice, education, including a shared approach to history within the curricula, and commemoration, notwithstanding people's different perspectives. It...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The approach Sinn Féin has put forward will only divide people more, both in the manner it has been put forward and the very partisan approach taken by Deputies opposite. I do not share that approach. I do not need lectures about Irish unity or republicanism.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: The essence of my party has been to unite Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter. We are of the Wolfe Tone persuasion. We are constitutional republicans who believe in the European Union.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I am delighted that the Deputies opposite came around to the European Union after opposing it for decades, as it opposed this State and its institutions for decades.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Broadcasting Sector (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 25 together. In December 2019, the Government agreed the terms of reference for the commission on the future of Irish public service broadcasting, to be established by the Department of the Taoiseach. Professor Brian MacCraith, former president of Dublin City University, was appointed as chair of the commission. The programme for Government has...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy knows, it is a Fine Gael vacancy.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I did not talk down the clock. The Deputy had as much time as I had.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Citizens' Assembly (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I say again to the Deputy that it is not fair to say the Government does not care about drug recovery or addiction. I have been involved in that work as a former Minister with responsibility for health. I worked very strongly at that and we made much progress in our time with a multidisciplinary response and the creation of new approaches. The momentum must continue, and it will. What I...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Shared Island Unit (29 Sep 2020)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 8, inclusive, together. The programme for Government sets out the Government’s commitment to working with all communities and traditions on the island to build consensus around a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. A shared island unit has been established in my Department in support of this commitment and its work is now...