Results 36,001-36,020 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: And the Minister has.

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: I am not disagreeing with this proposal but I wish to comment on it. It relates to Topical Issues. Today's most topical issue is the potential for a negotiated deal on the promissory note. Surely there should be provision of time to discuss that issue today.

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: It is not agreed. I think there should be a debate on this particular issue and I am at a loss as to why a debate in plenary session was not facilitated. Our general concern with the order of the day and the manner in which the business of the House has been organised is a very fundamental one. I am not lecturing anyone. I am simply saying the way Members of the House are being treated is...

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: There was no legislation on the bank guarantee at-----

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: He has not been.

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: It has nothing to do with that.

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: On a point of order-----

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, on a point of order-----

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: It is not agreed.

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: I wish to put on record our deep dissatisfaction at the way Parliament is being treated by the Government. The Government parties have an overwhelming majority but the degree to which they are using it to undermine the status of Parliament is truly shocking. What happened last evening was disgraceful by any standards.

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: I refer in particular to the lack of briefing and consultation with spokespeople on the Opposition side. Prior to the previous general election, we all signed on to fundamental reform of the political system and of the relationship between the Executive and the Parliament.

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: It is becoming more regressive and it is getting worse. Last evening, for example-----

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: I would appreciate it-----

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: This is more of it; the attempt to heckle and shout down people who want legitimately to articulate a view.

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: There is a constant refrain from the Government benches.

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: Opposition spokespeople were not even afforded the courtesy of ministerial briefings last evening prior to major legislation being rammed through the House in a very short space of time because of an emergency situation that had emerged.

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: There were briefings from officials very late into the night, almost in parallel with the taking of the Bill. It became ridiculous. Irrespective of what side of the House one is on, that is not good for how the Dáil conducts its business. Likewise today, there has been precious little engagement with the Chief Whip. Business is done by order now. Whatever the Executive orders...

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: There is no meaningful consultation. There is no discussion on the daily schedule or on what the Order of Business should be.

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: Business is announced by diktat. The Parliament is losing any sense of sovereignty, independence or assertion-----

Order of Business (7 Feb 2013)

Micheál Martin: -----because of the increasingly-----