Results 13,921-13,940 of 50,453 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: That is for members of Fine Gael who are either in the Law Library or in government. Every now and again a bit of contrition would do no harm.
- Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: When the Constitution is broken by a Government, it is a very serious matter. It is a very profound issue, in fact. People were annoyed before the poll. The serious question is why we had to risk the referendum with something that was not necessary at all. The Referendum Commission system is actually working and has worked well in previous referendums, despite the Government's annoyance...
- Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: People trust the Referendum Commission and the independent judges who chair it in terms of imparting objective material.
- Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: Could we not resolve from now on, once and for all, that Governments do not get involved in that final phase of the campaign, in terms of trying to advocate a position using taxpayers' money? The McKenna judgment made it very clear and the Supreme Court has said that the Government was wrong. The Taoiseach should say "sorry" to the people because his Government got this one wrong. He...
- Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: That is what some people are speculating.
- Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: We are not going to influence that, though. Anything I say will not influence the judgment of the Supreme Court. I hope the Government accepts that.
- Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: I am glad Deputy Rabbitte accepts it but the Taoiseach is suggesting otherwise.
- Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: We are going to do that. We are not interfering with that process.
- Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: The Government had to correct a statement on its own website.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Sector Allowances (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: To ask the Taoiseach the progress made in relation to allowances in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42658/12]
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Sector Allowances (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: Earlier this year, and last year, the Taoiseach and many of his ministerial colleagues were busy telling journalists significant savings would be made with regard to the alleged "untold millions" being paid out in allowances across the public service and with the Department of the Taoiseach. Given what happened when the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, made his...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Sector Allowances (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: As a principle, any change must ensure those with the most and those on higher incomes contribute the most to the resolution of the crisis we are in. I put to the Taoiseach my contention that this exercise was completely oversold from the beginning. It was suggested it would yield massive savings. The massive spin machine employed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): IFSC Clearing House Group (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: To ask the Taoiseach the number of times officials from his Department attended Clearing House Group meetings in relation to the International Financial Services Centre; the main issues being discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44239/12]
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): IFSC Clearing House Group (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: To ask the Taoiseach the progress made to date in his Department in relation to the strategy to create 10,000 jobs in the International Financial Services Centre sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44240/12]
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): IFSC Clearing House Group (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: To ask the Taoiseach if he has met representatives of the International Financial Services Centre recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49613/12]
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): IFSC Clearing House Group (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: Does the Taoiseach accept that a balance is always required in dialogue with industry, which is necessary – the Clearing House Group has been effective in that regard – to ensure relations are not too cosy and that there is clear guidance on how to proceed and rules of engagement between the sector and Government officials? The financial services area is a competitive world. I...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): IFSC Clearing House Group (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: It might be no harm to do a study.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): IFSC Clearing House Group (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: My question was whether pensions and salaries were discussed. Outside the financial world there is a significant sense that these people have set their own rates, globally. If we look at history, at the late 1920s and the analyses of the Wall Street Crash, the raison d'être and entire approach of the financial sector has been to create products and services that nobody - allegedly -...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): IFSC Clearing House Group (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: -----and intelligent products to sell in terms of pension funds, derivatives, or whatever. We saw where all of that got us. Throughout history the rest of society has tended to nod the head deferentially and genuflect in the direction of the financial elites. That is where we stand and it is time we challenged that position. I am all for the IFSC and for the jobs but we all accept this...
- Order of Business (13 Nov 2012)
Micheál Martin: I refer to the Government's initiative for a fundamental review of hospital services in the south-east region and in particular to review the status of Waterford Regional Hospital with a view to downgrading it from category four to category three. Will the Taoiseach allow time for a debate on that issue? Government Deputies are due to meet the Secretary General of the Department of Health....