Results 141-160 of 399 for going forward speaker:Mattie McGrath

Level 5 Response to Covid-19: Statements (Resumed) (23 Oct 2020)

Mattie McGrath: ...the questions about the marts. Damage is being done to farmers and to those who want to sell from an economic point of view, but another angle is that it provides a physical outlet for people to go to. Not everyone can attend the mart online because they are not adapted to that or because there is no broadband in many areas. Several mart sites crashed yesterday and the price of cattle...

Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act) 2020 - Part 3: Motion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2020)

Mattie McGrath: ...was here and he did speak for his 11 minutes but there are many other Deputies who are not turning up. We cannot possibly follow through like this when one is part of a smaller group. This is not going to work. There are too many glitches and bad marks in this. The testing is a fiasco. I have emails every other day of people who want a test, cannot get a test and who had a test and...

Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Oct 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I appeal to the Minister. I cannot believe what is going on here. The Green Party is in government with the two big parties, which have had a hand in dealing with this matter for a long time now, and it is colluding to keep these records and have them put away out of reach for 30 years. The records we get from the National Archives are the subject of 20- or 30-year limits. These...

Post-European Council Meeting on 15 and 16 October: Statements (Resumed) (20 Oct 2020)

Mattie McGrath: People in Ireland are in a difficult position. They are weary of Brexit, which we have been dealing with for three or four years, and now we have Covid-19. We have seen the ineptitude of the Government in dealing with Covid-19. We have also seen the ineptitude of the HSE, which has been unable to cope in any winter in recent years despite having €1 billion extra in annual funding...

Covid-19: Statements (8 Oct 2020)

Mattie McGrath: ...where it is. It is a family business employing 250 people and they want to keep those people. I was there last night and saw they still have 30 or 40 staff. They have loyalty to their customers going back and forward, and I salute them. I hope that the Minister has said this to the Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Michael McGrath, because the budget is on Tuesday. These businesses need...

Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2019: An Dara Céim - Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (8 Oct 2020)

Mattie McGrath: .... I salute Helen Nic Craith, Catherine McCarra and cúpla duine eile. Thosaíomar Naíonra Caisleán Nua na Siúire 20 bliain ó shin and it is a wonderful success. It is wonderful to see na daltaí. They are preschool. Barely out of the cot, they go into that school. It caters for after-school and before school and indeed, the bigger children atá...

Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Sep 2020)

Mattie McGrath: ...We did not even look at the Seanad amendments because our amendments had to be submitted by 10 a.m. last Friday and the Seanad debated its amendments on Friday. We have enough intelligence to put forward our own amendments. Deputy Michael Collins mentioned that many people, including farmers, sawmill workers, haulage contractors, timber contractors and builders have told us what the...

Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Sep 2020)

Mattie McGrath: ...it was feeble and inept. We are now discussing it and we have fallen at the first hurdle. A total of 102 amendments were tabled in the Seanad but the Minister of State rejected them all. The Government is not serious about this Bill. There is no timeline provided in the Bill and it will be unworkable without one. Deputy Boyd Barrett and I raised the fact in the House yesterday and at...

Sick Leave and Parental Leave (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Sep 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I too compliment the Labour Party on trying to introduce this Bill. I know the Government is opposing it. As an employer myself, which I want to declare, I have mixed feelings about it. It sends all the wrong messages. What is happening in the country is sickening, with the pandemic and special advisers, including advisers for Ministers of State. Many are simply not up to the job. I am...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Sep 2020)

Mattie McGrath: ...tradition in Clonmel, County Tipperary. For generations - for centuries - there was an Army barracks in Clonmel, but Fine Gael just wiped it away, as it did with many other things. I will fast-forward to Fine Gael's current treatment of the Defence Forces. I note that it will have received the reports on the Defence Forces by now. We have seen another programme for Government with a...

Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Sep 2020)

Mattie McGrath: ...or otherwise. This is pedantic and childish. I do not mean the Minister personally. It is semantics. I heard a lady from An Garda Síochána address it. They do not have the clarity. They are going one step forward then two steps backwards. It needs to be clear. With regard to sending gardaí in to inspect the pubs which are giving this €9 meal, NPHET told me...

Perjury and Related Offences Bill [Seanad] 2018: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Jul 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I, too, support this very important legislation and I compliment the Regional Group on bringing it forward. The Minister has left and I cannot see which Minister of State is here, but it is important that we deal with this issue for many reasons. Many other countries have legislation in this area and have brought successful prosecutions. However, it seems to be a free-for-all here. I...

Future of School Education: Motion [Private Members] (28 Jul 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I wish the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Ministers of State, Deputies Rabbitte and Madigan, the very best and look forward to working with them. It has been a traumatic and trying time in the education system. It has been a trying time from the cradle to the grave, really, but from the playschools, the naíonraí, the national schools, secondary schools and third level...

Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020: Second Stage (28 Jul 2020)

Mattie McGrath: ...mistreat their tenants. Nothing could be further from the truth. We need a healthy balance of people who are willing to invest, buy properties, put them out for rent and look after their tenants, and we need good tenants as well. There are thousands in both categories. It is very important to put that on the record. However, we need legislation and, therefore, I welcome the Bill. I...

National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jul 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted with the Minister's appointment. I wish him well in his portfolio and look forward to working with him. Tús maith leath na hoibre. He has rejected these amendments. Deputy Naughten's amendments are very wisely thought out. He understands this area because he was in the Minister's seat. I thank him for all of the engagement he had with us when he was in office. I...

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Mattie McGrath: Go raibh maith agat, a Theachta Connolly. I thought it might be helpful because of the distance of Members from the officials but I am in your hands. For clarification, if we suspend for 15 minutes the House will not be going into private session. It is to see if we can get some answers or a roadmap forward from our present dilemma. Is it agreed to suspend for 15 minutes?

Nomination of Member of Government: Motion (15 Jul 2020)

Mattie McGrath: ...programme to get through but he has always been understanding and engaging in his role as Chief Whip. He has looked for agreement rather than division. I have worked with Deputy Calleary for decades, going back to his days in Ógra Fianna Fáil, and since he came into the Dáil in 2007. I have had many a joust and jostle with him and no doubt we will have many more, but I...

Maternity Leave Benefit Extension: Motion [Private Members] (14 Jul 2020)

Mattie McGrath: I too am supporting the motion. I compliment the Deputy and Sinn Féin on putting it forward. I hope this new and what is meant to be all-embracing Government will understand it and try to support it. Covid-19 has resulted in a very difficult time for many families but especially mothers who have experienced the pleasure, beauty and joy of giving birth to a baby. Many such mothers...

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Jul 2020)

Mattie McGrath: ...I congratulate Deputy Chambers on being appointed Minister of State. I do not think he has quite made it to Cabinet yet as the previous Deputy alluded to but I know she meant well. I wish him well and look forward to working with him. This legislation is a comprehensive Bill. I do not normally advocate a lot of borrowing. However, I do not think we have any option but to borrow,...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Jul 2020)

Mattie McGrath: Schoolchildren have been severely affected by the Covid crisis. They are now on holidays and looking forward to going back to school at the end of August. Teachers and boards of management are doing their best to get that organised. However, there are difficulties with regard to the school bus transport system. Contractors who are with Bus Éireann are getting 50% payment, which may...