Results 44,621-44,640 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: Domestically and internationally, the Taoiseach has been carrying an unprecedented workload and has long since earned the respect of those who deal with him.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: If all one has to do is produce policy soundbites the work is easy. However, Government is not about soundbites but about substance.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: Communications matter-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: -----with the people about the policies that will affect them but the hard work of finding and implementing the right policies is what matters most. As the Taoiseach said when he spoke in this debate, nobody in this Government denies we can and do make mistakes.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: Considering the scale, pace of change and complexity of the issues which must be addressed, this is inevitable. What is important is that the overall thrust of policies be what is required. Right now, nothing matters more than restoring the foundations for growth. The fiscal measures required for this are not only tough but they are having a direct personal impact on most people.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: This is the case in respect of both taxation and services. The Opposition has taken the position that it is in favour of dramatically reducing the deficit but it disagrees with the Government's actions to achieve this objective. This is a perfectly legitimate position. However, what is not legitimate is the constant refusal to offer an alternative set of actions. Yes, there have been many...

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Coveney will have his chance.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: This is how a party can announce it wants to cut the public service pay bill and then send its leader to a union conference during a general election to promise members more money and positions. This is also how we have the cynical game of Deputy Bruton posing as the champion of fiscal restraint while all around his colleagues demand extra spending. We have been hearing speeches about the...

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: I was on a programme with Deputy Ruairí Quinn recently. Deputy Lucinda Creighton was speaking on it too, describing Fine Gael as a Christian Democratic right-of-centre party. I do not know how Deputies Liz McManus or Ruairí Quinn could be comfortable about that but that is only one example of the widening divergence-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: Now, when the issues which we must all confront-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: The Labour Party and Fine Gael have been trying to distance themselves from each other in recent weeks. They have taken very different approaches to fundamental economic and fiscal issues. Now, when the issues which we must all confront have never been more serious, the very people who are loudest in demanding a change in Government will not say what change their Government would implement....

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: -----to cast doubt on the Lisbon treaty-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: We should be far more positive. I had discussions with Deputy Costello two weeks ago. I thought I understood his position-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: Concerning the forthcoming referendum, if we are for it we should go wholeheartedly and 100% for it. That should be the bottom line.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: We sought, and I believe we will have, a successful outcome to those discussions. At that point, it will be up to all parties that believe in active, positive and self-confident Irish participation at the heart of the European Union to take their case to the people. There will be a lengthy debate in the Oireachtas and we intend this to be held in a very constructive atmosphere. In...

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am not obliged to provide it, but I will forward it to the Deputy in due course.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am entitled to speak and provide examples.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: The unprecedented measures which have been taken to tackle this unprecedented crisis are being recognised. Institutions and companies which matter to this country have seen decisive action being taken. They have seen the Government is willing to take the right choices, even if they are the toughest ones. The concern last year that the action required was simply too tough for the Government...

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: When the people next go to the polls to elect the Members of this House and determine the make-up of a government, a major part of the debate will focus on what we all did when the crisis was at its worst. We will all have to say where we stood when the most important decisions were taken. We will have to say who took the path of empty populism and who took the path of responsible action,...

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Micheál Martin: I am genuinely pleased with the impact my speech is having on the Opposition. The Opposition should be aware that of all forms of human emotion, electoral euphoria -----