Results 33,241-33,260 of 50,830 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: Was this just another Opposition policy document? Was it the kind of thing one does before elections?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: Was it that kind of proposal?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach is the system.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: And who are living all over the world.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: The Labour Party had a different policy.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach did not argue at all during the referendum.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: Do it then.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, looks impressed.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach’s response gives the lie to his earlier reply to my question that a task force is to be established to examine the issue of legislation. He has just said this issue will not be looked at for the duration of this Oireachtas. Everything else he said apropos of reform has already been mooted. The Seanad initiating Bills is nothing new. It has happened before and will...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: One would not have that.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: No.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Freedom of Information Requests (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Burton might want to let The Irish Times know about the great battles she fights.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: 2. To ask the Taoiseach his proposed reforms for Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43141/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: 3. To ask the Taoiseach if he has considered an all-party group to consider legislative reforms in Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43142/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Reform (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. The Taoiseach referred to the referendum result as a "wallop". He said that the Irish people had given him one hell of a "wallop". The reason was that he did not listen to the people before the referendum, and he is still not listening. He has outlined the meeting that took place between party leaders. He will recall that he was asked in the House to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Freedom of Information Requests (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach referred to the difference between replies to parliamentary questions and responses to freedom of information requests. The matter is very simple. In some instances, very basic requests were not answered, which is why the apologies were made. I presume the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government apologised to the Deputies concerned only because no...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Freedom of Information Requests (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: It has been cleared up because, as I heard on the grapevine, the Taoiseach went back to the Minister. The point is that the instinct of the Minister and the Department is to tell people nothing. They believe they do not have to account for this and that it is not their business. They believe it is someone else's business, although they are setting up the utility. They believe that,...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: What will it cost?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Freedom of Information Requests (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: 1. To ask the Taoiseach the number of Freedom of Information requests his Department received in 2013; the number that were fully processed and replied to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41827/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Freedom of Information Requests (4 Feb 2014)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. The figure of 91 freedom of information requests is quite a sizeable number for the Taoiseach's Department. Throughout the past three years the Taoiseach has articulated his full commitment to the concept of freedom of information, and he has often come to the Chamber and promised to release information in advance, and there may not be need for recourse...