Results 38,761-38,780 of 50,916 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Official Engagements (24 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach the position regarding his office's dialogue with churches and faith communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19789/12]

Official Engagements (24 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: I listened to the Taoiseach's reply very carefully. I do not get the sense of any substantial engagement with the churches. The reply seemed to focus on the process and the framework. Not long after he took up office, the Taoiseach assured me in this House that he would engage actively with the various churches. In particular, he assured me that he understood the needs of smaller...

Official Engagements (24 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: I met a Church of Ireland bishop in Cork over the weekend. It is a very serious issue for that church as well. Can the Taoiseach explain how the Government can reconcile its stated commitment to supporting religious diversity in our society with its attack on the very lifeblood of minority communities? Can he explain what he has done on foot of the many complaints he has received from...

Official Engagements (24 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach has not really addressed the question I asked, which related to his activities on interfaith dialogue. I asked him to make a statement on the question of any meetings he has had with religious orders. The bottom line is that it is incomprehensible that the education situation, in so far as it applies to minority religions, would not be a core part of that dialogue. Has the...

Official Engagements (24 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: I am not talking about structured dialogue. I got very little from this exchange because the Taoiseach has not answered my questions. This is a very serious issue for those concerned. Has the Taoiseach discussed the matter with any of the churches and will he agree to meet representatives of the minority religions on this issue?

Official Engagements (24 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: Question 9: To ask the Taoiseach if he met the Vice President of China on his recent visit; if he will report on his visit to China on a trade mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10580/12]

Official Engagements (24 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: Question 14: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the meeting he had with the Vice President of China and other Chinese Government members; the issues that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19795/12]

Official Engagements (24 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: I asked two questions on the Taoiseach's visit to China, which I welcome. As he said, a relationship has been developing over 30 years. He would have to acknowledge also that the Asia strategy of 1999 represented a very significant expansion and upscaling of the nature of the relationship between this country and China. I recall that back in 1999, two-way trade was worth approximately...

Official Engagements (24 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: One of the key issues for the future is the two-way relationship in education. We need to provide more opportunities for students in Ireland to study Mandarin, particularly at second level. The Confucius institutes have been established but have substantive discussions been entered into with the Chinese authorities regarding a joint programme to facilitate student participation in...

Official Engagements (24 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: Our ambassador to China is the greatest example of all.

Estimates for Public Services 2012: Messages from Select Committees (24 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Fleming, who is taking this Bill on behalf of our party, has indicated to me that quite a substantial number of amendments have arrived late in the day and adequate time has not been allowed for discussion of these amendments to allow an understanding of their full implications. More time is required, given the number of amendments and the lateness of their arrival. This represents a...

Estimates for Public Services 2012: Messages from Select Committees (24 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: Why is it being taken now, anyway?

Educational Resources (19 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: Question 14: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his reason for carrying out a pilot inventory of educational resources in just four to six provincial towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19397/12]

Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Tánaiste knows a lot about taps going on and off.

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: I oppose the Order of Business as it is laid out on the grounds that it is important and necessary there should be a comprehensive debate on water charges.

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: Yesterday we asked for the Minister to come before the House to make a detailed statement on the issue and to take questions. It is extraordinary that every newspaper, radio and television programme has been able to debate the issue while the one place it cannot be debated is Dáil Éireann where the elected representatives of the people are. It speaks to the irrelevance of the House in...

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Rabbitte is laughing because he does not believe his fellow Minister's hyperbole, but if the decision is that big, surely the Government can facilitate a decent debate on the issue where the Minister can come before the House to make a detailed statement and take questions?

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: The hapless Minister of State is probably fed up standing in for the Minister.

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: Metering is starting in October.

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Micheál Martin: Given what was said earlier, is it now promised that section 4 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill will be deleted on Committee Stage? Will the Tánaiste confirm that we can expect amendments in line with what was said by the Minister for Social Protection last night? Will section 4, which deals with the reduction in payments to single parents up to 2014 and establishing the age of...