Results 39,281-39,300 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: The answer given this morning is a complete whitewash. As far back as 2009 the spatial planning section of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government had carried out an internal review of planning practices in these counties. I illustrate this with the comments of the former Louth county manager, Mr. Quinlivan, who carried out an investigation into matters in Carlow.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: I am asking a question. This is a serious issue.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: He stated that effective planning enforcement to ensure legislation was observed "was not in place" in Carlow.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: It rendered the whole enforcement process questionable. Mr. Quinlivan recommended that "prolonged consultation with those who breached the planning system must not take place". Complaints were received from many people, including members of the public, the Ombudsman, An Taisce and many other reputable bodies, about planning practices in these counties in recent years.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: There is much heckling but I am not prejudging anything.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: I am not prejudging anything. I have no difficulty without fear or favour of having independent planning investigations. Why?

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: I have spoken to the former Minister, Mr. Gormley. The bottom line is that there was resistance to these inquiries within the system.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: There was internal resistance to these planning investigations. I asked questions yesterday evening including whether we are all satisfied that our planning processes are above reproach. I call on the Tánaiste to meet the former Minister, Mr. Gormley, and to look at the dossier himself.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: He should look at the extensive material. He established an independent inquiry and a process but it was suppressed. It is completely dishonest to say that there should now be another internal review. An internal review had been completed.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Consultants were appointed. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, had stated previously that they were spurious complaints. He suppressed them when he came into office.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: They were examined, but the examinations have been suppressed.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: That is not true. The Tánaiste should not mislead the House.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Any examination should be independent of the system.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Tánaiste is playing politics again. There is something rotten in the State of Denmark.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Government has suppressed the follow-up action.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Tánaiste is ignoring the question.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: An internal review is being done, by insiders, civil servants.

Employment Levels (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: The Minister of State set out figures for the fourth quarter of 2011 in reply to the question on the number of workers in employment. Is that the latest period for which figures are available?

Employment Levels (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: I understand the figure for the first quarter of 2012 was 1.8 million.

Employment Levels (27 Mar 2012)

Micheál Martin: Are they are the last figures?