Results 4,641-4,660 of 20,725 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Mattie McGrath: The Taoiseach is in denial.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Mattie McGrath: One cannot have one's cake and eat it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 May 2021)

Mattie McGrath: I am sorry to have to raise this today. I am looking for a debate on the whole situation around driving licences, theory tests and driving tests. We hope to have our economy recovering. There are legions of people, young and old, trying to get theory tests, lessons and driving tests. Something must be done. I raised it with the Tánaiste here last week and he promised action but no...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 May 2021)

Mattie McGrath: 355. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason a person (details supplied) in the Defence Forces did not receive the 1916 centenary commemorative medal after serving in the Defence Forces for 37 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23269/21]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Home Schooling (5 May 2021)

Mattie McGrath: 402. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position in relation to the rights of parents to homeschool their children; the manner in which a parent can commence homeschool education; if there have been changes to home-schooling regulations in relation to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23272/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (5 May 2021)

Mattie McGrath: 543. To ask the Minister for Health the number of adverse effects reported following Covid-19 vaccination to date; the types of adverse effects reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22743/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (5 May 2021)

Mattie McGrath: 546. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons who have appealed against the mandatory hotel quarantine; the reason for the appeal; the number of appeals that have been successful; the number of appeals that have been refused; the reasons for refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22751/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (5 May 2021)

Mattie McGrath: 548. To ask the Minister for Health the reason an exemption to the mandatory hospital quarantine cannot be allowed for those attending the funeral of an immediate family member on compassionate grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22755/21]

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2020: Discussion (Resumed) (5 May 2021)

Mattie McGrath: I welcome our guests. I thank them for their outline and for the information they sent us in advance. I look forward to the roll-out. I hear the calls concerning the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the need for more staff. I have not been happy with the BAI in many instances, especially in the recent past. I hope there will be a more engaging body that will be more...

National Autism Empowerment Strategy: Motion [Private Members] (29 Apr 2021)

Mattie McGrath: I too compliment Páirtí an Lucht Oibre on tabling the motion. I wish the Minister of State well, but anybody who tries to help on the issue of autism knows there are some shocking figures in this area, as I learned when studying the issue. The State has recently spent more than €8,000 on consultants and advisers from Deloitte and other companies but there are 5,018 people...

National Marine Planning Framework: Motion (29 Apr 2021)

Mattie McGrath: This is shameful. It is interesting that this went through the Seanad without debate yet we had a Business Committee meeting this morning and they want more sitting time and to sit the days we are sitting. They are sitting in our Chamber and they are kicking up míle murder. There is a meeting this evening to try to sort it out. Yet none of them saw fit to discuss this vital issue. ...

European Union Regulation: Motion (29 Apr 2021)

Mattie McGrath: I am pleased to speak on this motion. While we all want a stronger police force and stronger supports for Interpol, we have to be careful that we do not sign up to something that erodes our status in Europe. We have so many ideas. The document provided by the Commission to member states on 5 March last was sizeable covers many issues. The purpose is to enable Europe to co-operate...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Apr 2021)

Mattie McGrath: There is a significant issue with regard to theory tests, driving lessons and driving tests being unavailable. This is causing large backlogs in many sectors of industry. This is very important for young people who wish to train as paramedics and nurses and who want to drive to college. They want to get their lessons, get on the road and play their part in the recovery of our economy....

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (28 Apr 2021)

Mattie McGrath: The Ceann Comhairle might let me know if Deputy Danny Healy-Rae arrives in the Chamber. If he does, I will share time with him. I am pleased to speak in the debate on this Bill. Much of it draws on the cases that have turned up in the Supreme Court. It is very important that legislation that is made and passed in the Oireachtas applies equally to all citizens and will withstand the...

Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (28 Apr 2021)

Mattie McGrath: Hope springs eternal. I hope the Ceann Comhairle will get a night in Hanora's Cottage before the year is out, which is in the lovely and famed Nire Valley, just across the boundary from me.

Planning and Development, Heritage and Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (28 Apr 2021)

Mattie McGrath: In discussing this Bill, I want to talk about our built heritage. I approached the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, a short time ago to raise an issue I have written to him about before, namely, Knocklofty House Hotel, the wonderful, majestic and historic building on the pleasant banks of the River Suir in County Tipperary. The Ceann Comhairle may be surprised, given that a bust of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Apr 2021)

Mattie McGrath: It is my opinion.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Apr 2021)

Mattie McGrath: I pray you spare me the lecture. I will not withdraw the remarks.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Apr 2021)

Mattie McGrath: I wish to speak on the same issue. I have been contacted by taxi drivers from Tipperary who planned to come to Dublin in their cars tomorrow. They have been wiped out by the "condemic". It might be an unusual step for us to raise this here but these are unusual times. Are we living in a totally totalitarian state whereby we cannot protest safely in cars? This is unbelievable. We saw...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Apr 2021)

Mattie McGrath: I understood this was Thursday's business so I was waiting for that, but as the issue has been taken now, I will speak on it. I wrote to the Ceann Comhairle objecting to this motion being rammed through without debate. Now there is a miserly five minutes for each group. This motion is too important for that. It sends out all the wrong signals to people looking in at how we do business in...