Results 36,981-37,000 of 50,916 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Public Sector Allowances (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: Earlier this year, and last year, the Taoiseach and many of his ministerial colleagues were busy telling journalists significant savings would be made with regard to the alleged "untold millions" being paid out in allowances across the public service and with the Department of the Taoiseach. Given what happened when the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, made his...

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: We in Fianna Fáil would not have the same intellect as Deputy Shatter, by any means, to put ourselves in the place of the Supreme Court.

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: Nor would we ever attempt to second-guess the Supreme Court.

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: That is for members of Fine Gael who are either in the Law Library or in government. Every now and again a bit of contrition would do no harm.

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: When the Constitution is broken by a Government, it is a very serious matter. It is a very profound issue, in fact. People were annoyed before the poll. The serious question is why we had to risk the referendum with something that was not necessary at all. The Referendum Commission system is actually working and has worked well in previous referendums, despite the Government's annoyance...

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: People trust the Referendum Commission and the independent judges who chair it in terms of imparting objective material.

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: Could we not resolve from now on, once and for all, that Governments do not get involved in that final phase of the campaign, in terms of trying to advocate a position using taxpayers' money? The McKenna judgment made it very clear and the Supreme Court has said that the Government was wrong. The Taoiseach should say "sorry" to the people because his Government got this one wrong. He...

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: That is what some people are speculating.

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: We are not going to influence that, though. Anything I say will not influence the judgment of the Supreme Court. I hope the Government accepts that.

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: I am glad Deputy Rabbitte accepts it but the Taoiseach is suggesting otherwise.

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: We are going to do that. We are not interfering with that process.

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Government had to correct a statement on its own website.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: The concerns of Limerick were not addressed at all.

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: First, I welcome the decision of the Irish people to support the children's referendum last week and to insert the proposed clause into the Constitution. That decision was stained somewhat by the stark and blunt judgment of the Supreme Court when it essentially made it clear that the Government not only dismissed the McKenna judgment but was in breach of the Constitution in carrying out its...

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: -----and that it could not trust the Referendum Commission anymore. Did someone say something?

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: I want to ask the Taoiseach some questions on this. Obviously, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, took a calculated decision to proceed on this route of a Government campaign separate from that of the Referendum Commission. Will the Taoiseach outline why that decision was taken? Did the Attorney General examine all of the information that was contained in the...

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: There is no speculation. There is no one adding any reasons. It is merely what was stated by the Supreme Court, that the Government was wrong and was in breach of the Constitution. Does the Taoiseach not get that?

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: We do not have to wait for a month.

Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: This is the decision of the Supreme Court. I am somewhat concerned by the equivocal response of some of the Ministers, particularly the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, suggesting, of course by innuendo, that the High Court is nearly as good as the Supreme Court, that the High Court said one thing, the Supreme Court said another, and we are very reasonable people in the middle.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Scottish Referendum (13 Nov 2012)

Micheál Martin: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed the agreement on Scotland holding a referendum in 2014 with Prime Minister Cameron or Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46065/12]