Results 37,961-37,980 of 50,916 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: We made that very clear at the time. Reducing the number of Dáil Members by eight and abolishing the Seanad while doing absolutely nothing to change how we behave is not radical reform. It is optic politics and playing to the gallery.

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: That is all the Taoiseach is doing. As far as I can see what the Taoiseach is doing in terms of abolition of the Seanad is playing this out until such time as he considers it most politically opportune to throw it into the frame, from an electoral point of view.

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: I ask that the Taoiseach share that work with both Houses of the Oireachtas and with his parliamentary party, some of whom are concerned about this issue.

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: Why will the Taoiseach not share it now?

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: What is the big deal?

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: We are having a convention on the Constitution.

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: That was our view during the election.

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: We made a submission on it.

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach tends not to have a point of view on these issues.

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: Will the Taoiseach share the papers?

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: Now.

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: Why?

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: But I am asking-----

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: We have been led to believe that an incredible amount of work is going on behind the scenes. Could the Taoiseach share that with us?

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: We cannot get an answer. That is the point.

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach is on the way to abolishing democracy.

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: We are being asked to discuss seven items in the constitutional convention, including gay marriage, equality, electoral systems-----

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: I am not going to go through that.

Abolition of Seanad Éireann (10 Jul 2012)

Micheál Martin: The point about the Seanad is as follows. What is the objection to sharing all the background work on what it takes to abolish the Seanad with everybody in the Oireachtas? Why not do that now?