Results 34,201-34,220 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: Throughout this programme the Government has never acknowledged the fact that it condemned it before the election and voted against 70% of its measures. Many economic analysts and other people have advised-----
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: It is clear that Government Deputies do not cherish parliamentary democracy in this House any more. This is an important issue for the country. The Government has put political strategy above what is right for the country.
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: Not a single piece of paper has been presented to anybody as to the merits or demerits of the decision not to seek a backstop arrangement, not from the Minister for Finance, the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste. No figures have been produced about how much we would save in interest payments if this conditional funding were available.
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: The only direct and proven impact of having conditional credit would be to reduce the risk of lending to Ireland and therefore the cost of that funding.
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: That is the key point that should inform the decision as to whether we want a backstop. It is clear the IMF and the ECB would have preferred that the country seek such a backstop arrangement. The ESM and the precautionary credit line system and approach is to support countries whose finances are becoming economically sound. It is not a sign of weakness, it is to seek maximum security for...
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: That is fair enough. The Government is entitled to do that. The key point is that serious issues remain across the eurozone. We know that. Mario Draghi did not reduce interest rates last week for nothing. He did it out of deep concern about deflation across the eurozone. Greece is raising its head again, as the Government well knows, and may seek further assistance. Italy and France...
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: Those issues are important to the overall context of the market in which we will be borrowing. There are also the stress tests to come, which may necessitate some form of recapitalisation. That is important because that could - and I hope it does not – undermine our capacity to borrow. I accept we have an expensive backstop in the €25 billion that the National Treasury...
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: The rates are favourable at the moment and in the immediate 12 months there may not be an issue. In the aftermath of 2014, many analysts say there could be difficulties, not just for us but for Europe. It would have made sense to take out an insurance policy which would have been to the benefit of the people and the country.
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: The trouble is over there, on the Government side.
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: At the outset, the Taoiseach said he was making his statement as a matter of courtesy to the Dáil. I suggest to him that the Dáil deserves more than a courtesy.
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: It deserves the fundamental presentation of a case justifying the Government decision-----
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: -----not to seek a backstop and not to seek a precautionary credit line. That is the very least the Dáil deserves today. I respectfully say-----
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: Is this democracy here? Are you going to allow-----
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: Last week we had a debate in advance of an EU Council meeting.
- EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: I suggested to the Taoiseach at the time that it was a good opportunity to present the case, the pros and the cons of whether we should have a precautionary credit line, but he refused to do so. That has been characteristic of the Government's position on this key issue, which deserves far more than the Dáil is getting today. A total of €53 billion is needed over the next three...
- Business of Dáil (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: Obviously, the Government has made a decision. We have no difficulty in facilitating the Government in making a statement to the House but can it not start at 12 p.m.? It is now 11.20 a.m. and we have had absolutely no notice of this.
- Business of Dáil (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: I am trying to be reasonable, constructive and to give the outside world some sense that this House and Parliament matter. I am simply asking that we start at 12 p.m. instead of 11.30 a.m., which is reasonable so that people can make an informed contribution to whatever announcement is made.
- Business of Dáil (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: That is not what I am proposing.
- Business of Dáil (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: The Chief Whip gave the impression that he wanted to-----
- Business of Dáil (14 Nov 2013)
Micheál Martin: It is not agreed.