Results 21,981-22,000 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (6 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: 613. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the talks process in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34169/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (6 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: 614. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his departmental officials are concerned regarding the referendum on a possible withdrawal of Britain from the European Union, Brexit; the plans in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34170/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Ministerial Meetings (6 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: 719. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the names of the persons who attended a meeting with him and with Cerberus; the date and venue it was held; the issues that were discussed; the actions, if any, that were taken; whether minutes were taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34523/15]

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: This morning we heard the announcement by Irish Water of its new seven-year plan, a key element of which is the decision to lay off between 1,200 and 1,500 people. This comes after the same entity created 700 additional jobs over and above those that were already in local authorities delivering water services and paid bonuses in respect of those 700 positions. It was also confirmed that...

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: Those are the realities.

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: The fundamental question is why the Government set this up in the first instance at all. It has not achieved anything it was intended to achieve. Will the Taoiseach outline to me in terms of the cost of laying off the 1,200 to 1,500 people how and when that will take place? Will he set out the status of the flat-rate charge post 2022? Will the conservation grant continue to be paid to...

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: There is no "may be" about it.

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach used the word "fraud". The only thing that has been fraudulent is the premise upon which Irish Water was established. If the Taoiseach will not take my word for it, take EUROSTAT's word.

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: EUROSTAT recognised that this was fraud. It stated that this was no commercial entity. It stated: "Considerable government control over Irish Water, in particular over board appointments and operations, including broad pricing parameters such as price caps for non-domestic users."

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: It struck Irish Water down, stating:The fact that Irish Water merely re-organises previously non-market activity carried out by local government, with local government assets being transferred to Irish Water and a large majority of Irish Water staff remaining local government employees. Significant and continuous government funding and support to Irish Water, mainly in the form of...

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: The bottom line is that, by any objective yard stick, the Government has sunk €550 million in water meters that will never be used for the purpose for which they were originally contracted, that is, a payment system based on usage.

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: Will the Taoiseach acknowledge this?

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: It is a colossal waste of money.

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: The Government employed an additional 700 staff on top of the number working in local authorities-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: -----merely, in the words of EUROSTAT, to reorganise things. The Taoiseach stated that a cert would be achieved, but it could have been achieved without the establishment of Irish Water.

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: The work on boil water notices was already on the way from local authorities. That is a terrible fantasy being presented by the Government.

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: Some €800 million has been invested in a monster-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: -----that has not added any value for the taxpayer.

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: The bottom line is that, in the next seven years and as even Irish Water and the Taoiseach admit-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: -----the taxpayer, be it through motor tax or income tax, will pay for Irish Water's operational and capital costs.