Results 33,101-33,120 of 50,830 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: Why the hell did we not have it before now? The climate change Bill is going through for the past two and a half years.
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: That is the old argument, which has no relevance.
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: The Government parties are in office for three years. The Minister of State decided after the event that we should have a debate. We should have had a debate prior to it. He should have come into the House three months ago when he said we had plenty of room to reduce taxes and the Government would give people whatever lollipop they wanted before the next election. The Labour Party did the...
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: It is not hyperbole. I recall Councillor Jenny McHugh telling me that there were posters up all over County Meath saying the Labour Party would protect child benefit and third level fees.
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: There is a tendency as the storms break to make announcements that €70 million or €25 million will be provided but the drawdown is much less and the money does not get to the householders or business owners who are flooded in an adequate time. The Minister for Social Protection was able to announce last week: "By the way I have €7 million left over." No one knew where...
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: Clearly, the Minister does not realise what this colleagues are saying. This is the incoherence at the heart of government. It took me a week to get the Taoiseach to say the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government was in charge.
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: It is money that was not spent during the last storm. I made representations on behalf of people to try and get basic provisions for them and there was too much red tape, regulation, barriers and obstacles for them to access the money. Of the sum of €25 million announced recently, only €225,000 has been given out.
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: This Minister should not be so defensive; this is the reality.
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: Times flies when one is being interrupted.
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: In November 2011, the Government allocated up to €10 million for flood damage. By May 2012, only €760,000 had been spent. That is a disgrace, particularly in the context of businesses that cannot take out flood insurance. The Government parties can make all the announcements they like but the money does not get to the people. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, needs...
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: Of course the Minister will in his normal way.
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: The reality is the Government promised 80% of property tax yield to councils but, by last November, it had taken the money from them and given it to Irish Water. That is why local authorities are strapped for money. They cannot even repair footpaths. That is why officials look askance when someone comes along and says he will give them €50 million. They would like money now to plug...
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: The Minister, Deputy Coveney, is wrong. It is not a transfer of functions. The Government promised the people that councils would get 80% of the property tax yield.
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: They were supposed to get it this year. The Government is continually misleading the people.
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: That €450 million would help councils to deal with the floods, coastal protection, rivers and barriers immediately. Deputy Cowen will introduce a Bill to deal with insurance for businesses and householders who cannot get insurance because of the way insurance companies are dealing with flooding similar to the legislation that has been adopted in the UK. Will such a Bill be introduced...
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: A comprehensive approach and significant investment is needs in places such as Athlone and County Offaly. The Government should consider using the National Pensions Reserve Fund, NPRF. The fund was used to finance Irish Water. This issue deserves to be the number one priority in the country because it will cost millions and millions of euro. We do not have a proper estimate of the cost....
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: I am aware of the tolerance the Acting Chairman often seeks from the Chair when he contributes and I will not over indulge in this regard. The use of the NPRF should be an option in the context of the scale of funding that will be required to deal with the impact on farming, fishing, business and householders. Something big is needed and it is not happening. The sum of €250,000...
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: I welcome the opportunity to speak in the House about the flooding and storm damage that has occurred throughout the country in the past month or so. I believe there has been a certain degree of complacency and a lack of urgency on the Government side in respect of the preparation and prevention mechanisms that could have been put in place. Irrespective of the arguments for and against...
- Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: We have no objection to the Deputy being given a few more minutes speaking time.
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2014)
Micheál Martin: It has taken about two and a half hours to get to "incorrect".