Results 30,461-30,480 of 50,830 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: I did not have an opportunity to discuss the climate change agenda because I was focused on the Irish Water issue. I sought an acknowledgement from the Taoiseach that €5.5 billion was spent on water infrastructure during the period 200 to 2010, including a large number of waste water treatment plants. My own city of Cork needed one and while there was political opposition the work...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach did not answer Quetion No. 1 in my name. He appeared to be in a position to answer it according to the letter to Deputy Fleming, but does not appear to be in a position to answer it today.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: I will read out the answer provided in the Taoiseach's letter. It states, "The CSO are working to finalise the report in the next two to three weeks". This is the report about the market corporation test. The preceding paragraphs tell us how expert the CSO staff are. The Taoiseach's letter states that the assessment will then be provided to EUROSTAT before going on to note that, "[The]...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: The work was done by the local council. That is the point.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: 1. To ask the Taoiseach the position on the commitment in the programme for Government in regard to the Irish Water networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43800/14]
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: That is a very curious reply. The Taoiseach seems to be avoiding the meat and substance of the question.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach is more or less saying it is an issue for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. It is a very convoluted reply designed to obfuscate.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: In regard to Irish Water, the Taoiseach is remarkably reticent on the substance of the issue. I put it to him that, as chairman of the all-powerful Cabinet sub-committee on the economy - the Economic Management Committee - he was centrally involved in this unmitigated mess and debacle as it unfolded in the past two years. The Government was advised by PwC not to proceed in the way it...
- Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: Those in mortgage arrears should not have to go bankrupt. We do not want to go there, but that is what the Taoiseach is suggesting.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach has a wonderful use of language. He stated, "it is disappointing I suppose..."
- Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: I remember when the personal insolvency Bill was produced. The then Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter, and the Taoiseach claimed that it was historic and would do wonderful things. There have been 199 settlements. Of these, we do not know how many relate to family mortgages. There are more than 118,000 people in arrears. The Taoiseach says there is no harm in talking about the issue. In the...
- Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: Last week a couple approached me. They were both working in State jobs, with the potential for reasonable longevity.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: I admit they were at the lower end of the income scale-----
- Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: -----but they were at the end of their tether because of their engagement with the bank, not the other way around. I hated the Taoiseach's assertion last week and the implication - I hope he is not doing it again today - that somehow it was all the fault of the person who held the mortgage.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: I hear time and again that people with mortgages are anxious to have sustainable solutions, but there is no engagement from the other side. The fundamental problem is that, as many people know, the banks hold all of the cards. They have a veto.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: That is the fundamental problem and why, in some instances, they may not be engaging.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: It is time to end the veto in a reasonable and balanced way. We are conscious of issues that flow from this, but the Bill that will be debated this evening is balanced. The Taoiseach should show good grace. The former Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter - I read his speeches on Second and Committee Stages before I came to Leinster House today - said the Government would not be slow in refining...
- Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: I am not talking about there being no harm in talking about this matter. I want real engagement on the substance of the points raised in the legislation that will be before the House this evening if this Parliament is to mean anything and be relevant to the hundreds of cases going through courts across the country weekly.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: We want to find solutions.
- Leaders' Questions (3 Mar 2015)
Micheál Martin: It is not being utilised.