Results 17,301-17,320 of 50,830 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Order of Business (10 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach might indicate when the National Treasury Management Agency (amendment )(No. 1) Bill will be published. This Bill is to enable the investment platform of the NTMA to be established on a statutory basis, including NewERA and the National Pensions Reserve Fund investments into the strategic investment fund. Given the developments in Bank of Ireland last week, and so forth,...
- Death of Nelson Mandela: Statements (10 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: Laoch den chéad scoth atá á cheiliúradh againn anseo inniu. Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuilimid bailithe anseo chun ár meas i dtaobh Nelson Mandela a chur in iúl. Ceannaire faoi leith a bhí ann - duine a thug dóchas, fís agus fuinneamh dá mhuintir féin. Fear lách, ciallmhar, stuama, críonna a bhí ann. Is...
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: During Private Members' business last week we debated a motion tabled by Fianna Fáil on the need for an independent international assessment of EirGrid's Grid25 proposals in regard to the upgrade and expansion of our national grid using only overground pylons. This matter is causing genuine concern across the country. Thousands of people have turned up at public meetings to voice their...
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: In Denmark, which is a country that is very focused on its energy agenda, pylons erected overground have been taken down and a different set of options in terms of its grid and power lines have been adopted. Will the Taoiseach agree to an independent international assessment and will he confirm whether the Government has ruled out the issue of underground cabling?
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: We have not had that comprehensive, full consultation about which the Taoiseach speaks.
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach cannot in this case hide behind the regulator. Ultimately, this project will be funded by taxpayers' money. The problem is that EirGrid decided on one particular option and then sought to ram it down people's throats whether or not they liked it.
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: That is the problem in terms of this issue.
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: I am asking for an independent international assessment of the options. Grid25 is a big project. Nobody is questioning the need to modernise our capacity in terms of energy. What is at issue is the manner in which this is being done. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, this morning endorsed Fáilte Ireland's concerns. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and...
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: That is the view of the Minister, Deputy Varadkar. I accept that he is entitled to have that view and so am I. It is not only exclusive to Ministers to have concerns.
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: This is a mega project. There are 1,300 pylons across the countryside in a straight line as decided by EirGrid. That is the way the company wanted to do it, although there were other options. The public never got any pre-consultation opportunities in respect of the EirGrid proposal, but that is the minimum that is required. It would make sense for genuine consultation to take place for...
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: It is not only a question for energy, but whether it is the right thing for tourism, landscape and our cultural heritage, which are important considerations in the long term.
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: I am. An independent assessment.
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: RPS did a series of work and produced a document.
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: That proves my point.
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: There is a precedent where some of the grid was put underground.
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: That also is the way it works in Ukraine.
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: Next Thursday.
- Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: Deputy Buttimer is not leader yet.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: I have a number of questions for the Taoiseach on proposed legislative measures. As he is aware, the Church of Ireland in particular is very concerned about the threat to its schools, given the Government's policy on small rural schools generally. Given that about 50% of all Protestant primary schools have fewer than 56 pupils there is huge concern in terms of the capacity of members of the...
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2013)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach did not reverse what he did in the previous budget. That is the problem.