Results 11,381-11,400 of 50,453 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Cabinet Sub-Committees (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: Is it in charge of the overall strategy? I got a wandering reply which stated various Ministers are doing different things. Is the sub-committee overseeing the jobs strategy that the Minister, Deputy Bruton, has been briefing people about? The fact it has only met five times in 12 months does not inspire confidence about the most fundamental issue facing the country, namely jobs. That...

Cabinet Sub-Committees (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: It is unacceptably high.

Cabinet Sub-Committees (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: As a supplementary to the questions I tabled on these important Cabinet sub-committees, first, I want to acknowledge the Taoiseach's acknowledgement of the role of the last Government in terms of Food Harvest 2020 and creating a blueprint which has had the buy-in of all the stakeholders concerned with the development of the agriculture and food industry, which is an important platform for the...

Cabinet Sub-Committees (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: Soft options have been sought. The capital programme became a soft target for cuts over and above what had originally been factored in.

Cabinet Sub-Committees (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: The degree to which the Government cut the capital programme this year over and above what had been factored in has led to the loss of 8,000 jobs in the domestic economy which could have been protected this year if not for that excessive cut in the capital programme. The jobs initiative was more electoral manipulation - it was an election gimmick. The problem was it was not a gimmick for the...

Cabinet Sub-Committees (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: -----too much on the presentation, too much on the spin and less on the reality and a concrete set of achievements around actual job creation. That is my greatest criticism. The labour activation measures outlined by the Taoiseach were all in train, as we know, including Tús, which was a creation of Deputy Eamon Ó Cuív and former Deputy Mary Coughlan. The point is that we need more.

Cabinet Sub-Committees (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: We need far greater energy from Government agencies and Departments in regard to young people.

Cabinet Sub-Committees (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: Will Deputies stop the silly, childish heckling? This is a serious issue about jobs in Ireland and across Europe.

Cabinet Sub-Committees (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: It has been acknowledged today by the European Commission.

Cabinet Sub-Committees (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: I am not saying anybody here has all the answers but we need a bit of urgency, sincerity and commitment. For what it is worth, the system to date is not energised enough in terms of youth unemployment. Much more can be done. To have a committee on jobs and economic recovery meet just five times in 12 months reflects that inertia and that lack of urgency and attention this issue demands...

Cabinet Sub-Committees (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: What about devolved school grants? Are they being shelved?

Cabinet Sub-Committees (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: Looked at? We had the budget.

Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: It is not agreed. I will explain the reason. The Taoiseach is well aware of the importance of global Internet companies to our economy and the vital importance of making clear to the world that Ireland, as a country, is committed to innovation and creativity in this sector. We need a deeper and fundamental reflection on this question. The Minister of State, Deputy Seán Sherlock, is...

Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: There was a time, Deputy Byrne. There was a time.

Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: We certainly have. There are a few Labour Party pirates.

Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: It is important.

Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Taoiseach for his response.

Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: Will the Taoiseach consider setting up a specialist sub-committee of the House to consider this issue in greater depth? I believe that is required.

Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: I do not want to put this to a vote but I want a more fundamental reflection on the issue.

Order of Business (31 Jan 2012)

Micheál Martin: It means more time for debate. I also believe the Parliament must set up a specialist committee on this matter.