Results 33,521-33,540 of 50,830 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: That proves my point.

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: There is a precedent where some of the grid was put underground.

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: During Private Members' business last week we debated a motion tabled by Fianna Fáil on the need for an independent international assessment of EirGrid's Grid25 proposals in regard to the upgrade and expansion of our national grid using only overground pylons. This matter is causing genuine concern across the country. Thousands of people have turned up at public meetings to voice their...

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: In Denmark, which is a country that is very focused on its energy agenda, pylons erected overground have been taken down and a different set of options in terms of its grid and power lines have been adopted. Will the Taoiseach agree to an independent international assessment and will he confirm whether the Government has ruled out the issue of underground cabling?

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: We have not had that comprehensive, full consultation about which the Taoiseach speaks.

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach cannot in this case hide behind the regulator. Ultimately, this project will be funded by taxpayers' money. The problem is that EirGrid decided on one particular option and then sought to ram it down people's throats whether or not they liked it.

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: That is the problem in terms of this issue.

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: I am asking for an independent international assessment of the options. Grid25 is a big project. Nobody is questioning the need to modernise our capacity in terms of energy. What is at issue is the manner in which this is being done. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, this morning endorsed Fáilte Ireland's concerns. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and...

Death of Nelson Mandela: Statements (10 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: Laoch den chéad scoth atá á cheiliúradh againn anseo inniu. Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuilimid bailithe anseo chun ár meas i dtaobh Nelson Mandela a chur in iúl. Ceannaire faoi leith a bhí ann - duine a thug dóchas, fís agus fuinneamh dá mhuintir féin. Fear lách, ciallmhar, stuama, críonna a bhí ann. Is...

Order of Business (10 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach might indicate when the National Treasury Management Agency (amendment )(No. 1) Bill will be published. This Bill is to enable the investment platform of the NTMA to be established on a statutory basis, including NewERA and the National Pensions Reserve Fund investments into the strategic investment fund. Given the developments in Bank of Ireland last week, and so forth,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Government-Church Dialogue (10 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: I put the issue of small rural schools and religious diversity to the Taoiseach earlier. The Government policy on school patronage runs contrary to the maintenance of diversity and pluralism. That is manifest in the policy regarding small rural schools and the deliberate targeting of the pupil-teacher ratios in small rural schools. It began two budgets ago and is progressive. It did not...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Government-Church Dialogue (10 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: There is.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Government-Church Dialogue (10 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: The Government changed the PTR.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Government-Church Dialogue (10 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: However, the Government changed it.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Government-Church Dialogue (10 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: That is another argument, but the Government worsened the PTR.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Government-Church Dialogue (10 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach does not seem to be acknowledging that the Government did that.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Government-Church Dialogue (10 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: No, it is not.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Government-Church Dialogue (10 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: We will take supplementaries.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Government-Church Dialogue (10 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: The policies of the past two to three years implemented by the Minister for Education and Skills, which are designed to increase the pupil-teacher ratio for small rural schools in general, has caused great anxiety across rural Ireland and in two, three, four and five-teacher schools in particular. The policy was announced three years ago as a phased increase in the pupil-teacher ratio and an...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Government-Church Dialogue (10 Dec 2013)

Micheál Martin: I asked about the embassy to the Vatican. The issue about small schools is the phased increase in the threshold for the retention of teachers. That was announced two to three years ago but it is having a negative impact on rural schools.