Results 1-20 of 2,004 for speaker:Martin McGuinness
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: The Irish Government are still committed to that; they have not withdrawn that commitment. During yesterday's meeting, the First Minister and I emphasised to the Tánaiste the importance of the review promised by Enda Kenny when the Irish Government announced that they were withdrawing their commitment because of economic circumstances and their negotiations with the IMF and the...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: At the NSMC meeting on 28 March 2013, we noted that the NSMC approved an amendment to the North/South pension scheme, which means that increases to the scheme for benefits paid in the northern currency will be in line with the consumer price index. Prior to that, they were increased in line with the retail price index. The amendment ensures that the North/South pension scheme...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: Obviously, these situations are kept under constant review. I outlined our approach to the matter in my earlier answer. With respect, I think that there is a vagueness in the question. I am not trying to score a point. If the Member would like to communicate his concerns to me more directly, I could give him a much fuller answer.
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: I certainly would endorse the comments of the Member about the contribution made at the exhibition that took place in Brussels, which we were honoured and privileged to attend. The work that is happening within the IRA — sorry, within the IFA — [Laughter.] Just to — [Interruption.]
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: Just to reiterate the point that they have gone away, you know. [Laughter.] The anti-sectarianism work that has taken place in the IFA has to be commended. Other events have taken place since the visit to Brussels that I have been very pleased to attend in my own city. I pay tribute to all those who are involved in that important work. In the context of Peace IV, we will have to...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: One of the most important discussions that we had with the Tánaiste yesterday centred on youth unemployment and the prospect that a fund that exists at European level can be used in a way that will bring benefits to ourselves and the South. Whether we can exploit that fund remains to be seen. However, we have emphasised to all our Departments the importance of continuing to...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: He was basically asking whether the Irish Government's presidency of the European Union was beneficial to the farming community, North and South, in the context of the CAP negotiations. I think that I gave a clear indicator earlier that those discussions are ongoing and that Minister Coveney and Minister O'Neill are collaborating to ensure that we get maximum benefit for farmers, North...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: On the Member's first point, I know that there is huge concern in the west amongst all the councils and, indeed, the elected representatives that the A5 project could be jeopardised. Indeed, some in the media — mostly commentators, I suppose; I am not blaming media organisations — went as far as to say, more or less, that the project was dead in the water. Nothing...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: We had a wide-ranging discussion on the EU. Yesterday, the Tánaiste made it clear, not only during the meeting but in the press conference afterwards, that he regarded the ongoing discussions between the EU and the Governments of the United States and Canada as vital in the context of the island of Ireland and, specifically, the North. Any increased trade agreements with...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: Obviously, the presidency is being held by the Irish Government. We had our own discussions with them prior to their taking over the presidency. From their perspective, the big concern was whether there would be agreement on budgets at European level. The last time that the First Minister and I were in Brussels, the British Government, in particular, were getting a very bad...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: In compliance with section 52C(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, we wish to make the following statement on the eighth North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) institutional meeting, which was held in Stormont Castle on Monday 29 April 2013. The Northern Ireland Executive were represented by the First Minister and me, and the Irish Government were represented by Tánaiste and...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: I certainly think that that is their ambition. At yesterday's meeting, we all noted that progress had been made on CAP reform during the EU negotiations. We noted that CAP reform negotiations had progressed in recent months and the ongoing trilateral discussions between the Parliament, the Commission and the presidency aim to reach a final agreement by June this year. Of...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: Yes, both issues were discussed. Everybody knows that those projects are vital for cross-border infrastructure, and it was very important that we discussed them yesterday. It is also important to stress that our Executive and the Irish Government are fully committed to implementing the A5 project. Everybody is conscious of the recent judicial review where a judgement was...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: We had a very useful discussion on the St Andrews Agreement review at yesterday's meeting, and the part of the review relating to the recommendations specific to the North/South bodies is now effectively complete, subject to any further discussions at NSMC sectoral meetings. The respective Finance Departments have concluded that the provision of Enterprise-scale shared services within...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: North/South Ministerial Council: Institutional Format (30 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: Peace III has brought enormous benefits to our community. There is no doubt whatsoever that it has contributed greatly to harmony and cohesion in the community and increased working together, not just in the North but between North and South. Everybody here is very conscious of the discussions that have been ongoing in relation to Peace IV. The First Minister and I were recently...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Assembly Business: Principal Deputy Speaker (15 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: I nominate Deputy Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin to act as Principal Deputy Speaker.
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Assembly Business: Principal Deputy Speaker (15 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: I am honoured to nominate Deputy Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin to be Principal Deputy Speaker. That follows on from the hugely positive and constructive work done by Francie Molloy as Principal Deputy Speaker, who worked constructively with you and your office to ensure that the work of the House would continue. It has been disappointing today to hear some of the views expressed on the...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Assembly Business: Principal Deputy Speaker (15 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: It is hugely important that we recognise that the party that I represent has been at the forefront of supporting not just law and order but the police. We have been at the forefront, even with the risk to the lives of some of our members, of standing against the activities of so-called dissident republicans. We have been very strong advocates that people who break the law should...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Assembly Business: Principal Deputy Speaker (15 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: — my party stands four-square behind the peace process, the PSNI and the gardaí, who have done a remarkable job over the past 18 months in thwarting the activities of those who would attempt to plunge us back into the past. They have done that in the context of ensuring no loss of life. Anybody attempting to cast aspersions on our commitment to the peace process needs...
- Northern Ireland Assembly: Assembly Business: Election of Deputy Speaker (15 April 2013)
Martin McGuinness: I propose that Mitchel McLaughlin be elected as Deputy Speaker.