Results 6,741-6,760 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

EU Appointments. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy's last comment is unfair. I have been a strong admirer of Mr. John Bruton, particularly in his role as European Union ambassador to the United States. This arose because of the present Taoiseach's proactive engagement with former Commissioner Patten on the idea of having a political figure hold the position of ambassador in Washington. It was a very good display of political...

EU Appointments. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: It is a fact and the Deputies should acknowledge it. That is how ambassador Bruton was helped to get the position. He has done his job well. The idea was that, because of Ireland's historic engagement with the United States and capacity to "work the Hill", an Irish political figure, particularly a former Taoiseach, would be an ideal EU ambassador to the United States and would be able to...

EU Appointments. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: People are keeping their cards very close to their chests, particularly the leaders of the leading countries, including France and Germany.

EU Appointments. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: I would have believed the Deputy would have had some insight into the position of the European People's Party.

EU Appointments. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: I hope there will be a development tomorrow night because it is important, in terms of the timeframe, that there be clarity and certainty on this question. There may not be a development. Tomorrow evening will be interesting.

European Union Relations. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: The report on the development of relations between the European Parliament and national parliaments under the Lisbon treaty was adopted by the European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs on 13 March 2009. Following debate in plenary session, it was adopted by the European Parliament on 7 May 2009. I welcome the report's conclusion that the enhanced role for national parliaments...

European Union Relations. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am in broad agreement with the Deputy in terms of the points she has made. However, I fundamentally disagree with the point she made at the outset, that given the system we have, this must be led by Government.

European Union Relations. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: During the campaign on the second referendum on the Lisbon treaty the Oireachtas came together in committee. It did not come together on Government and Opposition lines. I accept most members were pro-Lisbon treaty, but they were not divided along party lines. There is an opportunity for Parliament to come to the Executive. We are often criticised for the way things are organised; that...

European Union Relations. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am not so sure that it is hugely successful in the House of Commons or that the British system is the ideal one to follow. Every Minister should go before their respective committees prior to going to the Council. I have views as to whether they should get a mandate from every committee they meet prior to every Council meeting. That is something that can be discussed. Currently, it does...

European Union Relations. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: As we speak, Ministers do not go before every committee. When I was in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment I did not attend the relevant committee prior to attending a Council meeting. There was no great demand for the committee to have the Minister of the day before it either. It is different in the case of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. We are well used to that...

European Union Relations. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: -----is the need to communicate Europe more effectively and make it an integral part of political life.

Diplomatic Representation. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: I have had the opportunity to meet with ambassador Dan Rooney on several occasions since his appointment by President Obama as the United States ambassador to Ireland. As Deputies will be aware, ambassador Rooney is a long time friend of Ireland and his appointment as ambassador was widely welcomed by the Deputies of this House. I was present when ambassador Rooney presented his credentials...

Diplomatic Representation. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: We discussed the undocumented Irish with ambassador Rooney. I visited the United States subsequently where I had extensive consultations with senators and congressmen on the Hill on this issue. I also met with ILIR, the immigration reform movement, in New York and we had substantive and good discussions on that issue, the critical point being timing, building a consensus across party lines...

Diplomatic Representation. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: If I may say that a graduate placement programme-----

Diplomatic Representation. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: You are so tolerant.

Diplomatic Representation. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: Much good work has been done on the Gateway Ireland portal. We are in the position of establishing a formal network of those who attended Farmleigh and those who did not, and also the graduate placement programme-----

Diplomatic Representation. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: Thank you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Diplomatic Representation. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: That is crass. It is without substance.

Diplomatic Representation. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: It is unfortunate that the Deputy would take that tack knowing that it is not the truth.

Diplomatic Representation. (18 Nov 2009)

Micheál Martin: Not specifically on the issues he has just raised. We had broader discussions on the facilitation of the agreement and the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, would have taken the lead role in the negotiation of that. I was in Shannon recently and local people there seemed to be happy with what was put in place. I will now take up the fact that there are teething issues with it but the...