Results 16,481-16,500 of 50,762 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: I am not talking about the general population because the number of medical cards currently being issued is a function of joblessness. High unemployment equals higher numbers of medical cards being issued. I asked the Taoiseach a specific question on discretionary medical cards. In many ways, however, his answer is in denial of the reality on the ground. I quoted Professor Orla Hardiman...
- Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: People who hear responses from the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the HSE cannot equate them with the reality on the ground. That is the experience of most Deputies here also, given the numbers of people who have come to them in the past year. Last year's budget signalled that about 40,000 medical cards would be taken out of the system. It is those who are medically most compromised who...
- Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: This is systemic.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: 1. To ask the Taoiseach if officials from his Department are working on the Seanad referendum campaign and if so the number of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39047/13]
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: 2. To ask the Taoiseach if officials in his Department prepared extensive notes on the Seanad Éireann referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39495/13]
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: 3. To ask the Taoiseach if officials in his Department who work in the Government information service are monitoring and rebutting comments made in the media on the Seanad Éireann referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39496/13]
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I tabled three questions on this issue. The Taoiseach has made many claims in recent weeks, including that he believes in being accountable to the Dáil. He even held a press conference recently where he brandished the Constitution and said it was only to the Dáil that he was accountable. I invite the Taoiseach to practice some of what he has...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: The commission and others are clear that it is not possible to estimate the actual amount of net annual savings that would arise if the Seanad was abolished. A strong caveat has been entered. The Taoiseach is now the only person, along with others in Fine Gael, who is sticking to the untruth and the dishonesty that has been perpetrated in respect of a claim which is patently false. No...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: I am referring to the €20 million.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: My questions were about the costs and the Taoiseach's false claim.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: Without having to go through freedom of information, will the Taoiseach make it available?
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: I am not asking the Taoiseach whether he has difficulty.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: Will the Taoiseach do that?
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach did not do it all along.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: That is not correct. The Deputy should read it.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: These questions relate to the issue of savings of €20 million, the background to that and the basis on which the Taoiseach made that claim to the Dáil during the passage of that legislation. Regardless of how the Taoiseach tries to get around it, there is no basis for making the false claim that the abolition of the Seanad will save €20 million. Indeed, the Houses of the...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: -----because it was rammed through in 24 hours. The same happened with the respite care grant. David Farrell, a noted political scientist, told a gathering last week that Dáil Éireann is the weakest parliament in Europe. The Taoiseach is trying to get rid of the Upper House but the people might have something to say about that. People are very worried about an excessive...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: They were not.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: I did not say that at all.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (24 Sep 2013)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach should answer the question. He is just filibustering.