Results 15,541-15,560 of 50,683 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Order of Business (18 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: That is a good point and one which I endorse.
- Order of Business (18 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: I beg the Ceann Comhairle's indulgence for a moment. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I express sympathy to people in the town of West, near Waco in Texas, on the appalling tragedy that is unfolding as we speak as a result of an explosion at a fertiliser plant. The enormity and scale of the tragedy is truly shocking. I extend our sympathies to all those who may have been bereaved...
- Order of Business (18 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: I do not believe it has been confirmed that the introduction of water charges has been postponed until 2015.
- Order of Business (18 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: Is that right? That is news to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin.
- Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (18 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when departmental expenditure targets for the period 2014-2016 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17857/13]
- Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: A national crisis within our farming industry is affecting almost every part of the country, particularly rural Ireland. This relates to the availability of fodder for our cattle and is particularly acute in the dairy sector and in high intensity farming. Deputies Ó Cuív and Moynihan raised this last week. Yesterday I met the Bothar Buí co-operative and spoke to farmers who...
- Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: The problem began last year with terrible weather in the summer which has impacted on the quantity of silage that could be cut and on the fodder capacity to deal with an extended winter. Cows would normally have been out on the grass for a long time by now but they are indoors. I met the chairman of the farmers' committee of IRD Duhallow yesterday who told me that by his estimate 90% of...
- Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: In my opening remarks I endeavoured to keep this issue free of party politics because it should be above it. There is a real crisis. What concerns me about the Taoiseach’s reply is that he uses every word but “crisis”. He says the Minister is open. He used the words “acute concern”, “difficulties” and “challenging”. The...
- Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: The banks, meanwhile, are generally increasing bank charges. The co-ops have told us that they are playing their role but that they are concerned about the banks. They are doing their very best to help their suppliers. Teagasc is also playing its role. The problem, however, is that it is giving professional advice but farmers involved are at the pinnacle of animal husbandry. These are...
- Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: This is not going to end in the next three weeks if there is some sunlight. As was articulated to me yesterday, the overall problem will be that it will sap farmers' confidence in Harvest 2020-----
- Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: -----because milk yields are down by one third this year. In some areas such as Duhallow, County Cork, there will be a 50% cut in milk yields. This will reduce farmers’ capacity to take advantage of good milk prices. The implications are fundamental for an industry and a sector for which we have great hopes. The Taoiseach should set up a task force. In the past, when there were...
- Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: It is not something that could not be done. It could be. At the very minimum, the Taoiseach should set up a national co-ordinating group. I ask him to do this in good faith.
- Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: They are not. The Taoiseach is doing nothing about it.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Review (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: They are already there.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Review (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: That went down very well.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Review (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: Extraneous?
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Review (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: I alert Deputies about tabling questions on the programme for Government because it allows the Taoiseach to indulge in the longest filibuster I have witnessed in this House for quite some time.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Review (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: Point taken. Two thirds of the consolidation of the public finances occurred before this Government came to power. The Taoiseach was then the leader of the Fine Gael Party and opposed every single measure. He attacked our cuts to consolidate the public finances. Along with the Labour Party, he opposed every measure and gave the impression things could be done differently. The public is...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Review (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach announced that to the nation on "The Late Late Show". Part of the announcement was that he would get rid of any Minister who was not on top of the job.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Review (23 Apr 2013)
Micheál Martin: Can the Taoiseach indicate whether such report cards exist and when he will take decisions on firing Ministers as he said he would? Is the Taoiseach of the view the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, is doing a fantastic job and that the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, is doing a brilliant job?