Results 18,521-18,540 of 50,830 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Guerin Report: Statements (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the opportunity to speak about the Guerin report. It is important that significant steps are taken as a consequence of the report in terms of reforms in the oversight of An Garda Síochána, its management structures and a fundamental review of the force. This review might, perhaps, be similar to the 1970 Conroy review or the review of the nursing commission over a decade...

Guerin Report: Statements (Resumed) (28 May 2014)

Micheál Martin: Too much celebrating.

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: Before I start, may I compliment the Minister, Deputy Noonan, on the manner in which he dealt with his recent surgery and to wish him every best wish in the time ahead? It has been a good week for Limerick, what with the hurling and the Minister's own good performance-----

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: -----and so we await a good summer and well done to the Minister in this regard. I put into the Minister that Ireland is in the midst of a crisis in the health insurance market. It is undoubtedly experiencing a downward death spiral and an approximate average of 4,000 customers left the market each month in the year up to March 2014. Moreover, 21,000 people have left since the beginning...

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: Does the Government accept there is a crisis in the health insurance market? Has it proposals to help to resolve the crisis?

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: I put it to the Minister that the market is no longer affordable for many people, particularly younger people, who are leaving the system in their droves. The situation was already critical enough but the Government added to the crisis by the measures it took in the budget. I do not simply refer to the restriction of tax relief but also to the increase in the cost and price of a public bed...

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: -----they said that and let everyone know about it.

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: Apparently, the five-a-side group is back and it is playing its game of five-a-side very actively at present.

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: However, most critical of all, the Taoiseach did not say he had confidence in the Minister. He refused to say he had confidence or no confidence in him-----

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: -----which is kind of ominous. Will the Minister be around to implement these changes?

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: Moreover, I do not believe these changes will be adequate to deal with this crisis because the fundamental objectives of Government health policy are not meeting. On the one hand, the Government seeks universal mandatory health insurance but, on the other, it is implementing policies that are driving people out of the market, such is the incoherence of the policy approach. Very few people...

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: These are working people who have given up.

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: The Government was warned about this in January.

Order of Business (4 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: The programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a universal primary care Bill, which will be the legislative basis for the introduction of universal primary care, particularly general practitioner cover by 2016. The revelations last week indicated that the cost of implementing this commitment, the centrepiece of the health reform programme of the Minister for Health, Deputy...

Leaders' Questions (10 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the statement by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Charles Flanagan, that the Government will establish a statutory commission of inquiry into the operation of mother and baby homes. Such an inquiry will have to deal clearly with how women were treated and mistreated in such homes, the high infant mortality rates in such homes, the burial practices, the carrying...

Leaders' Questions (10 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: This will be complex and sensitive work in which we will engage constructively. Given the sensitivities involved for families, adoptees and adoptive parents, is the Government open to consultations with Opposition parties in drawing up the terms of reference and considering the structure and nature of the inquiry in the light of the scale and scope of what will, undoubtedly, have to be...

Leaders' Questions (10 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the Taoiseach's comments on engaging with the Opposition, but I ask that the various representative groups and parties involved be consulted also. I presume the Minister will do this on both the structure of such an inquiry and also its terms of reference. With regard to a dedicated counselling service, by way of information, when we established the commission of inquiry into the...

Leaders' Questions (10 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: Then do something about it.

Leaders' Questions (10 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Enda Kenny is the Taoiseach.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (10 Jun 2014)

Micheál Martin: 1. To ask the Taoiseach the meetings he held during the St. Patrick's Day visits in the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7477/14]