Results 38,921-38,940 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Parliamentary Reform (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: No, we are not.

Parliamentary Reform (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: That was because of the behaviour of some of Deputy Kehoe's colleagues.

Parliamentary Reform (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: I have a supplementary question based on the original reply. In his reply relating to the Friday sittings, the Chief Whip has indicated there is ongoing review and that the situation is being monitored. Will he agree that the quorum for a Friday sitting should be made up from both the Government and Opposition sides? On Taoiseach's questions and the Order of Business, the reform that was...

Parliamentary Reform (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: That is not my point.

Parliamentary Reform (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Chief Whip is saying that basically it is up to the person bringing forward legislation or a motion, or his or her party, to provide a quorum. My question is based on this. I suggest that is not correct and that it should be up to both sides of the House to provide a quorum. What could happen otherwise is that a party could come in some Friday morning and if there was nobody on the...

Parliamentary Reform (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: The rationale behind placing the obligation, via the Standing Order, on the Opposition to provide the quorum was so that Government Deputies would not have to attend during the Friday sitting. Is that not the case? I am asking the Chief Whip to change that.

Order of Business (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Agreed, but would it be possible to allow an additional five minutes to leaders?

Order of Business (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the announcement of the date of the referendum on the fiscal treaty, will the Tánaiste outline to the House the legislative timetable for the referendum? I ask the Tánaiste to also outline the timetable for related Bills such as the amendments to the treaty on the functioning of the European Union which is important for the facilitation of the establishment of the ESM, the...

Order of Business (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Well rescued, Tánaiste.

Mahon Tribunal Report: Statements (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the final report of the Mahon tribunal. I supported its establishment in 1997 and I believe it has carried out important and valuable work and has been of significant public service. I have accepted the findings of every tribunal of inquiry which has reported during my membership of this House. I also accept the findings of Judge Mahon and his colleagues. This is a very...

Mahon Tribunal Report: Statements (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: In over 3,200 pages there is no mention of Deputy O'Dea and the only mention of former Deputy Roche is his signature on revised terms of reference. I do not accept that Ministers had no right to criticise the workings of the tribunal. There is a difference between legitimate criticism and trying to collapse it. It was not a Minister but a judge of the Supreme Court who used words like...

Mahon Tribunal Report: Statements (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: -----but it is an outrage that journalists and commentators should be targeted for being forthright in talking about the findings of Mr. Justice Moriarty. If we are now entering a new era in this country where the standards and level of scrutiny being applied to public affairs depends on how a story aligns with the interests of media owners we are actually going backwards. The Mahon report...

Mahon Tribunal Report: Statements (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Gabh mo leithscéal.

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Question 34: To ask the Minister for Health the number of day case patient and elective inpatients on waiting lists at the end of 2010; if he will provide the same figure for the end of 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16477/12]

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Question 78: To ask the Taoiseach his plans to bring up the ongoing issue of the sensitive materials deposited in Boston College, that have been ordered by a US District Court to be handed over to the PSNI for criminal investigations, with President Obama during the annual St.Patrick's Day visit to the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16397/12]

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Question 79: To ask the Taoiseach if he has previously brought up the ongoing issue of the sensitive materials deposited in Boston College, that have been ordered by a US District Court to be handed over to the PSNI for criminal investigations, with the US Department of State or in correspondence with US authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16398/12]

Written Answers — Hospitals Building Programme: Hospitals Building Programme (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Question 586: To ask the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the need for a National Paediatric Hospital. [12273/12]

Referendum on Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Tánaiste for the clarity and information he has provided to the House in regard to the timing of the referendum on the European fiscal treaty. As I have stated previously, Fianna Fáil will be supporting ratification of the treaty and insertion of the subsection into our Constitution and will be campaigning on the basis that we believe this is good for Ireland and the eurozone....

Leaders' Questions (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Last week in this House, the Tánaiste acknowledged that there have been difficulties, including communications difficulties, with the payment of the household charge. On reflection, he will have to agree that what he said probably represents one of the understatements of the year. Unfortunately, the entire project has been a bit of a debacle. It has rightly been described today in a...

Leaders' Questions (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: It is not just utility bills. It is not just the kind of sense that "we are watching you and we are going to get you". It is not just the "you can run but you can't hide" approach. He has added to that now. This week, we were told that local authority officials would be knocking on doors to collect the charge. No one really or seriously believes that is a good idea. In fairness to the...