Results 32,941-32,960 of 50,830 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: What we are dealing with here is not an isolated example. This is not a consistent pattern of behaviour built up over three years. For Fine Gael to defend one of its own is not surprising, but the length to which the Labour Party is willing to accept this becomes more incredible by the day. If the contents of the transcript are serious enough for Mr. Connolly to be fired, then they are...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: The appointment yesterday of Mr. Guerin is an acknowledgement that there is a legitimate reason for concern. Limiting his work to a review and placing on his shoulders the decision regarding the establishment of a full investigation is wrong. I believe his role should be to scope out the basis for such an investigation. There is a sense that this review is either a search for a way out or...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: -----admit that he got it wrong. It transpires that in this entire episode the Minister was the only person who accused Sergeant Maurice McCabe of not co-operating with Assistant Commissioner O'Mahony's report. Nobody else made that assertion. Assistant Commissioner O'Mahony did not make that assertion. Nowhere is it to be found in his report. If Sergeant McCabe had not co-operated, he...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: It brings to mind the comments of the confidential recipient: "If Shatter thinks you're screwing him, he'll come after you." Sergeant McCabe has remarked to me that Mr. Connolly was telling the truth in that the Minister, Deputy Shatter, did go after him. This was five weeks after a complaint was made to SIPO. Why did the Minister say that Sergeant McCabe did not co-operate? Why did he...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: The Minister knew Sergeant McCabe had not been interviewed and that he was protesting about the fact that he had not been interviewed, yet he accused him in the public domain of having not co-operated with an inquiry. The manner in which the Minister did so undermined Sergeant McCabe's reputation, character and credibility. This is a Government that is encouraging whistleblowers.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: The Minister, in issuing statements such as "This guy isn't serious, he didn't even bother co-operating" fundamentally undermined Sergeant McCabe's credibility. That was the import of what he said.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: The Minister would also have been conscious of the fact that the Comptroller and Auditor General had vindicated Sergeant McCabe in regard to the penalty point issue. The contrast between the outcome of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and the outcome of the O'Mahony report could not be more stark, yet the Minister proceeded to make the allegations he made. I have with me a...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: The circumstances are not comparable in any shape or form, yet the Minister wants to go down the road of distraction. After a week's silence, the Minister gave a few exclusive comments to one journalist last night in which he signalled he would go on the attack today and had been trawling in his Department all week for evidence to support his case. Only the most gullible will accept, having...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: He has consistently refused to even contemplate the idea that he could be wrong and repeatedly impugned the integrity of any Deputy, Senator, journalist or member of the public who has challenged him. In recent days, his Government colleagues have chosen to circle the wagons around him by hyping his record and claiming he is always reasonable. The Minister does not recognise the legitimacy...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: Yes, I just sent the dossier to the Taoiseach.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: Similar cases arose previously, one of which led to the Morris tribunal. The previous Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern, also established an inquiry into the Noel Keegan case. It is not unprecedented for Ministers, when they see material of this gravity and nature, to take the exceptional step of establishing an independent inquiry to obtain full answers. The...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: No, it was not. The Minister should stop that nonsense; this matter is too serious.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: I am not worried about who discussed what.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: When I was presented with this for the first time it was clear that it raised very serious issues. Before the Minister tried to distract me, I was about to raise the core question of whether failings ultimately lead to the murder of Sylvia Roche Kenny. Perhaps that murder could have been prevented. That is a difficult statement to make. I did not want to discuss these matters in detail...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: In another case, a man was savagely beaten and the case was not entered in the PULSE system for nine months. That is the point. We can dress up the issue or create smokescreens all we like, but the quality of internal investigations is at stake. It is not unprecedented in terms of the Morris tribunal or beyond belief that things could have gone wrong. The cases involved are grave. I sent...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the fact that Dáil Éireann has been allowed to hold a debate on a matter of grave public importance. Nothing is more important to the work we are elected to do than ensuring all officers of the State work to protect the public and promote justice for all. Throughout history, a core foundation of democracy has been a willingness to question those who are given the power...

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: These attempts to distract from the serious allegations made have not worked and will not work. The Minister knows that the former Minister, Dermot Ahern, never got the dossier the current Minister received.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Maintenance (26 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: 200. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to dredge the harbour in Dunmore East to ensure ease of access of bigger fishing vessels to that harbour; if his Department has any plans to improve facilities at Dunmore East Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9879/14]

Order of Business (25 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: My first question to the Taoiseach relates to the publication of the White Paper on universal health insurance. Is it the intention of the Taoiseach to allow for Government time? It has not been published formally yet but it has been well leaked by the Minister for Health and others. We need some clarity on when it will be published. It is a key part of the programme for Government. ...

Order of Business (25 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: It is not allowed?