Results 15,981-16,000 of 50,683 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Order of Business (12 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: There was a commitment in the programme for Government to introduce child care legislation and to prioritise child care services and the inspection of such services. I want the Taoiseach to indicate to me when the Children First legislation will be published, given that the HSE has confirmed that funding for childminding officers is no longer in place in most areas. This is a service that...
- Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (12 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: 36. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the new initiatives taken by him to tackle the problems in areas of high deprivation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28050/13]
- An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann), 2013: An Dara Céim - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: The amendment proposed to the House is the most extensive produced by any Government in the 76 years since Bunreacht na hÉireann was adopted by the people. It seeks to amend more than 40 provisions of the Constitution but has been prepared without consultation. No public or private body, let alone any elected representative outside the Government, has been asked for an input. No...
- An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann), 2013: An Dara Céim - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: He had earlier abolished the Free State Senate because it sought to prevent the implementation of key republican principles in the Constitution, but he restored it in the 1937 document. Eamon de Valera actively sought out different opinions and the record shows how he was respectful of other opinions. He even managed to handle with good grace the claim of James Dillon that he was...
- An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann), 2013: An Dara Céim - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: There is no example in its history to compare with the recent habit of many Government Deputies systematically heckling Opposition speakers to protect Ministers who have legitimate questions to answer. None of this is to say the Seanad should remain as it is. The vocational panel system is anachronistic. It is also the case that it is hard to justify giving an extra opportunity to vote...
- Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Working Group (13 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: 13. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times that the new judicial forum working group has met since March 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28289/13]
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: As the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, will realise, the Irish seafood industry is critical to rural coastal communities, providing 11,500 jobs in such peripheral areas. Some 2,100 fishing vessels throughout the country are dependent on the industry. That industry and those people are dependent on an effective Common Fisheries Policy to sustain their...
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: The Minister accused me of being critical. I articulated what the fishermen said to me last Friday. There is no point in getting up on a high horse to attack me.
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: Last week, I met a fisherman who employs 23 people in Castletownbere. That is the type person to whom I listen. The Minister acknowledged that he did not get around to meeting fishermen in advance of the talks.
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: They were told that the horsemeat scandal and the fodder crisis were the reasons he could not meet them for a meaningful face-to-face discussion. I am only relaying what the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation and this man who employs 23 people have said to me. They said the Minister was a great disappointment. This is what is being said.
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: I am conscious of that. Fishermen do not feel positive at present. They have no sense of the practical workability and implications of the discard policy, particularly in regard to the whitefish industry. I spoke to Pat the Cope Gallagher, MEP who managed to table an amendment insisting that due regard be paid to the Hague preferences. He was very disappointed that the Hague preferences -...
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: That is not the point. The Minister knows what has to happen in the European Parliament in terms of compromise proposals, particularly between the Council, the Commission and the Parliament. MEPs cannot have their own way on everything.
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: He has articulated his main criticism, namely, the absence of the Hague preferences from the treaty itself. That is a fair criticism and the Minister would acknowledge it in another forum. The key point is that many people in the fishing industry say it is time that we had a Minister dedicated to the marine, fisheries and natural resources. They feel the absence of such a figure.
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: That is what they are saying.
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: They have not received any explanation or meaningful communication. These are the people who go out fishing day after day. They feel neglected.
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: They believe they have not been consulted on this deal. That is what they are saying.
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: That is absolute rubbish.
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: The Minister is not talking to the fishermen.
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: That is not what they are saying.
- Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2013)
Micheál Martin: The Minister should meet them.