Results 45,721-45,740 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: We are in a highly uncertain position.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: I would not understateââ
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: My experience since I was a child in the city of Cork means its motto, Statio Bene Fide Carinis, or safe harbour for ships, is embedded in my subconscious. I apologise for the reference to a safe harbour.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: From this comes a natural, optimistic kind of esprit de corps.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: Great challenges lie ahead and the Government is by no means understating them. Ireland and the European Union are in a very difficult position. The Deputy asked about the timetable but I do not have one, as there is none. The Government has asked for time and space to analyse the underlying issues, both in respect of the campaign and underlying attitudes to the European Union. This will...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: Yes, although the Lisbon treaty would have postponed this development until after 2014. Deputy Timmins then asked what was Ireland's position in respect of negotiations on this issue. To be frank, the Government is trying to draw breath. Obviously, like in all negotiations, it will try to represent Ireland's best interests and achieve the best we can from that scenario, but it is unclear.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: No. The Deputy asked what would be the attitude of our colleagues, were matters to remain as they are, and how they could go ahead without us. As I noted, this is not their desire. They certainly cannot proceed with the Lisbon treaty. However, a point that a number of commentators have been trying to make for some time is that the real issue should not necessarily be about the legalities,...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach would not countenance in any way a two-tier European Union. Many other member states would be against such a scenario. At the Council meeting on Monday many member states clearly articulated that it was something they would not entertain under any circumstances. The Deputy spoke about those countries that had ratified the treaty and those that were in the process of so doing....
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: I really do not want to do so. We do not have a timetable for the consultations and practical steps to which the Deputy referred. We can obtain legal advice on the constitutional issue and those matters which merited a referendum and those which did not. However, there are always grey areas in a treaty. I will come back to the Deputy on the matter at a later stage. I agree with the...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: Government policy is to ensure Ireland remains at the heart of the European Union. Arising from the vote and the decision of the people, we are examining how best we can ensure this. The legal position is that the Lisbon treaty cannot go ahead without 27 member states supporting it. However, rather than rush to hasty conclusions, we will have time to reflect and then map a definitive way...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: One can form a subjective judgment on how one can interpret the vote. I did not get a sense during the campaign that people wanted to move away from the European Union.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: They did not have to put it to the people, constitutionally. The way the debate emerged indicated that somehow the people had been denied. The degree to which parliamentary democracy was undermined in the debate was astonishing. Parliaments in parliamentary democracies are democratically elected but throughout the campaign during the last six weeks it was as if they were pariahs, unelected...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: Germany, for example, has legitimate historical reasons for not holding a referendum. Therefore, we cannot insist that the way we do things is the way everybody else should do their business. In the context of our written Constitution, there was an obligation on us to proceed in the way we did, but that does not mean we have to impose the way we do things on the rest of Europe.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: As I said in reply to Deputy Costello, these are issues that we are examining. I shall put it this way to the Deputy: we have not decided on any option. We are examining and reflecting, but obviously shall take on board whatever is warranted.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: The Deputy makes a fair point. It will be part of my policy to conduct a fundamental review, take steps and develop a programme that will facilitate an engagement with people on the European Union. I again stress that the barometer survey is preliminary, but it indicates that young people, apparentlyââ
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: It will be published when all the data are finally put together. It seems young people voted against the treaty, two to one. That rings an alarm bell in terms of what Deputy Creed said about a disconnect. There is also a sense that, notwithstanding the fact that the campaign was very much conducted on the back foot, there was no instinctive enthusiasm. It appears that the European project...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: It is above and beyond it.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: I shall have to revert to the Deputy on that matter.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: Legally, they cannot proceed with the Lisbon treaty without all 27 member states on board.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: What we are discussing is hypothetical as regards what could happen and how other member states might proceed. At this juncture member states are seeking to resolve the issue in the best interests of the European Union, including Ireland. They value our continued membership of the Union. That will be the focus in the coming months to see whether we can find a way forward to resolve this...