Results 16,421-16,440 of 50,683 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: That is all I asked the Taoiseach. If it was defeated, would the Taoiseach - yes or no - facilitate the reform of the Seanad because he is not giving the people the option? If the people vote him down, will the Taoiseach then facilitate it?

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: It is an important point.

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: Sorry?

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: A Chamber of guillotines.

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: It is not; it is very easy to debate.

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach was 34 years supporting the Seanad.

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: Let us debate it.

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach should debate with me. All I am asking him is to debate it.

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: Will the Taoiseach debate?

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: Let us debate it.

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: That is wrong. Ministers went before the Seanad a couple of times with amendments. Ministers are accountable to everyone. Of course, they are. The Taoiseach should know the Constitution.

Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: It is not agreed. As a mark of protest about the manner in which the Government is doing business, I am opposing this proposal. In the last session, the Taoiseach gave me a very solemn promise and commitment, indicating he would consult with me on a package of Dáil reform measures that would be brought before the House. He did not do so and broke the promise; it was very dishonest of...

Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: There have been no meetings and it is extraordinary that at a time when people say they are dramatically reforming the House, not one single Member-----

Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: -----has been consulted.

Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: We have been presented with a fait accompli.

Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: That illustrates the lack of sincerity on the Taoiseach's behalf and that of the Chief Whip with regard to meaningful Dáil reform.

Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: It is a charade and the measures were published last week because of the upcoming vote in the Seanad referendum. It is a pretence that the Government is interested in making itself accountable to the Dáil.

Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: All objective assessments of the package have described it as underwhelming and having no impact. It is merely tinkering with the system-----

Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: -----and is not incentivising the Dáil to hold the Government aggressively to account etc. It seems to be about reducing the level of accountability. The Taoiseach was dishonest and broke his promise genuinely to consult with Opposition leaders in advance of publishing any measures.

Order of Business (18 Sep 2013)

Micheál Martin: It is too late.