Results 41-60 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: Not for much longer.
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: There were calls to abolish the means test.
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: She does not mean sterling.
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. It is nice to see a Minister as tall as me here on occasion. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important Bill â I am conscious of the importance of the topic but am not so sure about the importance of the content of the Bill. I would look at various levels of society to see which areas have benefited and which have not...
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: It can be argued that the budget has not delivered to a great extent to those most deserving. To make that argument, we need only look at recent reports issued by a number of bodies, such as the Combat Poverty Agency. It did not invent the figures which show that Ireland now has the highest percentage of children living in poverty in the developed world after the USA. That is a startling and...
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: The Tories inherited a fine system from the Labour Government, but they messed it up. The Government spent three years doing feasibility studies on Abbottstown in an attempt to build a vanity bowl for the Taoiseach.
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: People can switch the television off. I support the Government for allowing the national broadcaster to increase the licence fee. I do not have a difficulty with that increase because I support State broadcasting. However, I have a problem with the 12% increase in car tax. That hurts everyone. It pinches people's pockets. A 12% increase is substantial. Such an increase in other areas might...
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: I do not blame the Government. It gives credence to the arguments put forward by people aggrieved at the budget, particularly when one considers the lack of increases in some areas and the substantial increases in others. The fact that an elected Member of our national Parliament has a medical card makes a joke and a mockery of the system. It is a joke that someone who is on a handsome...
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: Many people cannot afford private health insurance but are, unfortunately, a couple of euro above the income threshold to qualify for a medical card. It is ridiculous that the person who looked for votes during the election and fought for medical cards has one. It could only happen in this country.
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: It is there. It is in the reports.
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: Yes.
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: Like her colleague in the Department of Finance.
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: That was the former Deputy, Proinsias De Rossa.
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: Are ruthless.
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: I agree that they have been targeted.
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, before section 2, to insert the following new section:
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 2: In page 3, before section 2, to insert the following new section: 2.âThe Minister shall as soon as may be after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the implications of abolishing the means test for a carer's allowance and introducing a top-up carer's payment for those in receipt of another social welfare payment....
- Seanad: Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister for taking time out of her busy schedule to debate this important legislation with us. I wish her well in her portfolio.
- Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)
Michael McCarthy: Senator Ryan was not referring to Deputy O'Flynn, but to the Deputy's remarks.