Results 39,041-39,060 of 50,909 for speaker:Micheál Martin

IFSC Clearing House Group (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Taoiseach for his comprehensive reply. The concept and development of the IFSC is a testament to the vision of Governments in earlier generations, particularly in the late 1980s and early 1990s. We now have 33,000 people employed in what is an important sector in Ireland in terms of its global impact and number of jobs created. Has the Clearing House Group discussed or...

IFSC Clearing House Group (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: What about a transaction tax?

IFSC Clearing House Group (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: It is a very important issue. The Taoiseach has representatives on the Clearing House Group. He might ask whether an analysis was undertaken of the potential impact of such a tax.

IFSC Clearing House Group (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: One of the significant issues for the financial services sector is increased competition from other financial centres across Europe and the world. There is a sense that for the strategic direction of the IFSC, the nature of its activities will have to change over time. More higher end functions and activities will have to be attracted. There is also a certain vulnerability in the job...

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Will the Taoiseach outline when the credit registry Bill is expected before the House? This is a long-awaited Bill and the lack of a centralised source of credit data has been identified as one of the main culprits in the banks having such extensive loan books. There was an expectation that the legislation would be ready by the end of February. It is an important Bill. Will the Taoiseach...

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: The credit registry Bill.

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Governor of the Central Bank has spoken on it.

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach would want to get on top of it.

Order of Business (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach has brought great clarity.

Leaders' Questions (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Everyone in this House agrees that public service broadcasting is a central part of a democratic society and RTE has served Ireland well over the 50 years since its foundation. However, a conclusion of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland last week has raised serious questions on the performance of our public service broadcaster with regard to the conduct of the presidential election....

Leaders' Questions (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: He seemed to offer the view that there was no need for any review. Clearly, there are differences between the approach of the Government parties to the issue. Putting those competing views to one side, does the Taoiseach agree that objectivity on the part of the public service broadcaster is paramount? What is the Government going to do to ensure the public service broadcaster will operate...

Leaders' Questions (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. My basic and abiding interest is the preservation of the principle of public sector broadcasting as a central tenet of our democracy. Notwithstanding the smiles of the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, that is from where I am coming.

Leaders' Questions (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: With respect to the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, his political history has a long tradition of cherishing that principle. Can the Taoiseach outline his views on this matter? I am not saying the Oireachtas is the ideal forum for this inquiry, because of the natural tensions between the Oireachtas and the fourth estate which should be always there. It is Ministers who have broadened the debate....

Leaders' Questions (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: It was the members of the Cabinet who were overjoyed.

Cabinet Sub-committee Meetings (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach if the Cabinet Committee on Social Protection has met recently. [13654/12]

Cabinet Sub-committee Meetings (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: According to the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, an enormous programme of profound change is under way in the health service. Would the Taoiseach not agree that, if that was the case, the Cabinet sub-committee would meet much more often than it does? From the meetings outlined by the Taoiseach, of which there were three last year, I get the sense that what we are witnessing is a kind of...

Cabinet Sub-committee Meetings (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: -----that the special delivery unit has somehow had a dramatic impact on waiting times. The SDU subsumed the €80 million that had been allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund, which was essentially abolished or subsumed into this arrangement, with disastrous results for waiting lists, given the increase already of approximately 40% in numbers of those waiting between three and 12...

Cabinet Sub-committee Meetings (13 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: It has not met since the budget.

Retail Sector Developments (8 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Question 6: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he has any pans to amend and strengthen the sequential test in the draft retail planning guidelines; when the final guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13217/12]

Semi-State Companies (7 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Question 11: To ask the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will rule out the State bearing the full incidence of funding the deficits of ESB and Bord Gais when they are part privatised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12876/12]