Results 17,561-17,580 of 50,830 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Expenditure (28 Jan 2014)
Micheál Martin: 543. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the tendering processes that Irish Water is using. [3930/14]
- Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: Last Thursday evening an episode of "Prime Time Investigates", entitled "Fatal Failures", revealed a disturbing and unacceptable situation relating to the preventable deaths of four newborn babies over a period of six years. There were similarities between the deaths and reports were produced in respect of each fatality. I sympathise with the parents of the babies who died - unnecessarily,...
- Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: I know the Chief Medical Officer. I have confidence in him, but that step is not the appropriate one to take. I beg to differ with that and it is no reflection on the Chief Medical Officer at all. In situations like this where there have been four deaths over the past six years, there should be a mechanism that triggers an immediate independent inquiry where all documentation and records...
- Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: What will it cost?
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Freedom of Information Requests (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: 1. To ask the Taoiseach the number of Freedom of Information requests his Department received in 2013; the number that were fully processed and replied to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41827/13]
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Freedom of Information Requests (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. The figure of 91 freedom of information requests is quite a sizeable number for the Taoiseach's Department. Throughout the past three years the Taoiseach has articulated his full commitment to the concept of freedom of information, and he has often come to the Chamber and promised to release information in advance, and there may not be need for recourse...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Freedom of Information Requests (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach referred to the difference between replies to parliamentary questions and responses to freedom of information requests. The matter is very simple. In some instances, very basic requests were not answered, which is why the apologies were made. I presume the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government apologised to the Deputies concerned only because no...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Freedom of Information Requests (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: It has been cleared up because, as I heard on the grapevine, the Taoiseach went back to the Minister. The point is that the instinct of the Minister and the Department is to tell people nothing. They believe they do not have to account for this and that it is not their business. They believe it is someone else's business, although they are setting up the utility. They believe that,...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Freedom of Information Requests (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: Deputy Burton might want to let The Irish Times know about the great battles she fights.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: 2. To ask the Taoiseach his proposed reforms for Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43141/13]
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: 3. To ask the Taoiseach if he has considered an all-party group to consider legislative reforms in Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43142/13]
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. The Taoiseach referred to the referendum result as a "wallop". He said that the Irish people had given him one hell of a "wallop". The reason was that he did not listen to the people before the referendum, and he is still not listening. He has outlined the meeting that took place between party leaders. He will recall that he was asked in the House to...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: One would not have that.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: No.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach did not argue at all during the referendum.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: Do it then.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, looks impressed.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach’s response gives the lie to his earlier reply to my question that a task force is to be established to examine the issue of legislation. He has just said this issue will not be looked at for the duration of this Oireachtas. Everything else he said apropos of reform has already been mooted. The Seanad initiating Bills is nothing new. It has happened before and will...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: No; I asked the Taoiseach about the task force.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: No, I did not ask that at all. I asked about the task force.