Results 44,341-44,360 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Seanad: Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Lisbon treaty also contains another simplified revision procedure, which provides that the European Council, acting unanimously, can decide that a policy should in the future be decided by QMV rather than unanimity. This is a point the Senator was making earlier. However, it would have to be decided unanimously; therefore, we retain the veto.

Seanad: Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: No, we do not.

Seanad: Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: "Unanimous" means we call it. This procedure is intended for a case in which all member states and parliaments are of the opinion that a certain issue can be decided by QMV. The need for complete unanimity means this procedure will, in all probability, be rarely used, but the key point is that even in these limited circumstances nothing can be done without the agreement of all governments...

Seanad: Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: Again, Sinn Féin is trying to create a fog around the issue of the Commissioner. The figure of five years has been introduced out of the blue. This happened yesterday in the other House and it has happened again this evening. The scriptwriters and researchers are busy trying to put a spin on things and distort the reality. We are not claiming anything more or less than the following,...

Seanad: Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: Backing Lisbon will result in our retaining our Commissioner indefinitely. Claims that this arrangement is somehow time-limited are entirely bogus. This is a considerable victory for Ireland because some member states, particularly the Benelux countries, wanted a smaller Commission. There was a legitimate argument in Europe about this. They were willing to accommodate us because they...

Seanad: Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: I saw the attempt coming yesterday to cloud this and sow confusion. The people deserve better than clever political scripting to try to cause confusion around clear facts. Oireachtas scrutiny, which many Members mentioned, is an issue that needs to be taken seriously. It is important that Ministers speak before every Oireachtas committee in advance of and after Council meetings. In...

Seanad: Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: A significant difference. It might bring Senator Ross charging into the room.

Seanad: Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: A case was taken against the German Theatre Pension Institution for refusing to recognise his entitlement to a widow's pension as part of the survivor's benefits provided for under the compulsory occupational pension scheme of which his deceased same-sex partner had been a member. The court in Munich referred the case to the European Court of Justice in 2006 for an interpretation of Council...

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: Tairgim: "Go léifear an Bille an Dara hUair anois." I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." It is an honour for me to introduce this Bill. Its purpose is to provide for the holding of a referendum on 2 October 2009, which would allow the people to vote on the Lisbon treaty. The people voted last June not to ratify the Treaty of Lisbon, by 53.4% to 46.6%. The turn out was 53%....

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: That would be wise. I apologise.

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: We are not allowed BlackBerrys in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: Perhaps I will remove the stapler as well. It has been causing me immense grief. The Heads of State and Government agreed that the legal guarantees will be set out in a protocol to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union at the time of the conclusion of the next accession treaty, which will probably be in 2010 or 2011. As a protocol, the legal...

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: I thank all Deputies for their contributions to today's debate. By and large it was constructive and I will endeavour to respond to a number of issues that Members raised. To cut to the chase, Deputy Ó Snodaigh raised a number of points that need to be dealt with quickly. He put forward the idea that we had negotiated a behind the scenes deal which would mean having a commissioner for...

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: If one votes "No" this time we will lose our commissioner. I will quote from the Council's conclusions which state: Having carefully noted the concerns of the Irish people as set out by the Taoiseach, the European Council, at its meeting of 11-12 December 2008, agreed that, provided the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force, a decision would be taken, in accordance with the necessary legal...

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: We have negotiated and now we can.

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: That is a product of the campaign and I acknowledge it.

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: The bottom line is that it would be honest of Deputy Ó Snodaigh to acknowledge it.

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: A "Yes" vote will enable us and every other member state to retain a commissioner. The package we are putting forward will also include legally binding guarantees on ethical issues, taxation and our traditional policy of military neutrality. Those who were concerned about those issues last year can be completely reassured by the guarantees we have secured. The commitments and legal...

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: It is important we engage with people who voted "No" the last time. It is important we acknowledge the points raised by those who voted "No". The guarantees we have secured do that in a comprehensive way. We must reach out to and engage with people to make progress on the big picture. The big picture is the economic situation. People may not realise it, but the Lisbon treaty is the...

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Micheál Martin: Tairgim leasú a a1: I leathanach 9, línte 10 agus 11, "ar acquis Schengen arna chomhtháthú isteach" a scriosadh agus "maidir le acquis Schengen arna lánpháirtiú" a chur isteach. I move amendment No. a1: In page 8, lines 10 and 11, to delete "ar acquis Schengen arna chomhtháthú isteach" and insert "maidir le acquis Schengen arna lánpháirtiú". I wish to make a general comment on the...