Results 28,721-28,740 of 50,830 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Economic Management Council Meetings (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: The bottom line is that discretionary medical cards were taken from very sick children because the figures were falsified at the time. We were given a phrase along the lines of "probity controls" and nobody knew what it meant. To be fair to the Minister at the time, Deputy Reilly, he said he could not stand over the figures the day after the budget was announced. The Economic Management...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Economic Management Council Meetings (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: It is chaotic.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Economic Management Council Meetings (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: Not bitter, no.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: No minute was taken.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: Does the Taoiseach accept that? Does he accept no minute was taken? Will the Taoiseach answer the question?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: Does the Taoiseach accept the basic point that no minute was taken?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: On a point of order, does the Ceann Comhairle's power to assess whether a Minister or the Taoiseach has answered a question apply to these oral exchanges?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: Is there a mechanism for ministerial questions?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: A written appeal?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: I will not ask the Ceann Comhairle to demand that. I would not do that to him, because to demand a clear reply from the Taoiseach is a task too gargantuan for the Ceann Comhairle or anybody else at this stage.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach should have answered the question. He had a meeting that effectively sacked a Garda Commissioner and took no minute of it and he will not give a straight answer.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Economic Management Council Meetings (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: 5. To ask the Taoiseach the number of times the Economic Management Council met in April 2015. [18119/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Economic Management Council Meetings (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: 11. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the Economic Management Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32870/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Economic Management Council Meetings (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: I have tabled two of these questions. The Taoiseach has frequently praised the work of the Economic Management Council because it supposedly keeps a very close eye on all economic and fiscal issues. Does he not agree that given the lack of progress on homelessness and housing it seems the Economic Management Council, despite having 15 meetings in more recent times, is not in as much control...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: 3. To ask the Taoiseach the formal processes and mechanisms for documenting decisions made within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15215/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: 4. To ask the Taoiseach if he is satisfied that the standard of record keeping in his Department, including the maintenance of minutes of meetings, is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31706/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: I note the Taoiseach's reply states that records are kept where judged appropriate, which is an interesting phrase. It would seem to suggest that there is wriggle room for him and others to decide the taking of minutes may not be appropriate. In his constant drive to avoid being accountable, the Taoiseach has, of course, refused to answer detailed questions in the House about his role in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: Not at the meeting to which I referred. Be honest and specific about what I have asked. I asked about the meeting with the Secretary General.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: Can I ask a supplementary question?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Records (20 Oct 2015)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach refused to answer the specific question I asked, namely, why minutes of the meeting on the evening when he sent the Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality to the former Garda Commissioner's house were not taken. Mr. Justice Fennelly is absolutely scathing of the failure to record the meeting. The Taoiseach referred to note takers. There were two...