Results 61-80 of 20,934 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: 82. To ask the Taoiseach the reason the Government has not committed to a full independent inquiry on the Covid-19 pandemic; and if it will commit to such an inquiry. [32098/25]

European Union Regulations on International and Temporary Protection: Motions (3 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: I strongly oppose the first and third motions but I think I can support the second motion. With regard to the first motion, I cannot support any proposal that forces Ireland to accept an EU-wide list of so-called safe countries. This is yet another example of Brussels removing our ability to make independent decisions as to who comes into our country. It is a one-size-fits-all policy that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (3 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister makes a comparison with my neighbouring county and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's county, Kilkenny. We will be working other matters out on the field of play at the weekend. I hope it will be a good game, and may the best team win. On a serious note, I accept those figures, but inside them, and to get to those averages, there are massive, phenomenal payments for big...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Solar Energy Guidelines (3 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: This is a massive issue. I have discussed it with the Minister. For decades, we were waiting on planning guidelines for wind turbines, and here we are on the new craze of solar panels. We cannot blame farmers when they are being enticed to set aside land for long-term leases. The best of land in the Golden Vale, in Rathgormack in County Waterford, and in east Cork is being taken up. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (3 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: I am taking this question on behalf of an Teachta Barry Heneghan.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (3 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: This policy has been a linchpin and a source of very important funding streams and supports for farmers for decades now. However, there comes a time when things need to be tweaked. That is why Deputy Heneghan asked for the geographical breakdown. We in Tipperary and other parts of the country have seen the conglomerates who get phenomenal payments under this scheme. There should be more...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (3 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: It is not good enough.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (3 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: I accept the Minister's bona fides. He is a farmer. I am a businessman. No one could operate in this manner, with farmers still waiting for payments from 2023 and hearing every excuse in the world. A man expected to get €5,000 of a corrective payment and he got €300. As I said, a dodgy salesman or a man at a fair who would spit in your hand would do better than that. In...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (3 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: 79. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a full explanation for the ongoing delays in issuing ACRES payments to participating farmers; the number of applicants still awaiting full or partial payment under all streams of the scheme; the urgent steps being taken by his Department to resolve system bottlenecks and ensure timely payment to farmers who have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (3 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: I want to ask the Minister about the ongoing delays in issuing ACRES payments. Farmers signed up to these schemes in good faith. There are delays in payment even in cases of full compliance. The issue is an inability to pay. I want answers as to what the Minister is doing about it. What is the reason for the delay? Is it merely that the Department does not have the funding to pay the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (3 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister calls ACRES a flagship scheme. I wonder about that. The ongoing and completely unacceptable delays in the issuing of ACRES payments is a matter of deep concern to farmers across the country. It is just not fair. Farmers who entered this scheme did so in good faith, on the understanding that they would be paid in a timely manner. Yet, here we are, halfway into 2025, and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (3 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: 101. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons behind ongoing delays in the issuing of basic income support for sustainability and areas of natural constraint payments to farmers, particularly in County Tipperary; the steps being taken to resolve processing backlogs and ensure timely payments going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35595/25]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Culls (3 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: 133. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken by his Department to address the severe and growing problem of deer overpopulation across the country, including the impact on farmers and the spread of TB; if he will commit to a co-ordinated national cull and population management strategy in co-operation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and...

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Report Stage (2 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: I believe it is a very retrograde step to remove a jury from this situation in the High Court. Juries have proven their worth in the justice system over time. The Minister had a different opinion himself when he was on the Opposition benches. I would be very concerned at what he is doing here. We all know that defamation is very serious. I was a victim myself of it one time and it is...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: I am glad to see the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is here. Cluain Training and Enterprise Centre in Clonmel is a wonderful institution for young and old but mainly for adults. It has pottery-making facilities, a workshop that repairs tools and many areas of art and design. It is a fabulous centre for young people and I congratulate the board, under Seamus Leahy and Gerry Flynn. They...

Nursing Homes: Motion [Private Members] (2 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: This is a timely and sensitive motion. The programme on RTÉ shocked everybody. Many people knew of the many changes in nursing care and the methods of care in our nursing homes. I salute the many hundreds of small nursing homes and some quite big ones in Tipperary, in particular St. Martha’s and Bramleigh Lodge in Cashel and the many others I could name. They do an excellent...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Dog Control and Sheep-Worrying: Discussion (2 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: I apologise. I wanted to come in but I was delayed at other meetings. There are a lot on a Wednesday. My son is a hill sheep farmer. The committee is discussing dogs and it is a huge issue. We have been fortunate in our area of the Knockmealdown Mountains, but neighbouring farmers have been annihilated. When the sheep are chased and attacked by any dog, but especially bigger dogs,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Swimming Pools (1 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Ceann Comhairle and her team for allowing both of us to contribute on these Topical Issue matter tonight. I also thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach for his latitude. I also appealing to the Minister of State regarding this issue. I have many question about Tusla and its operations. This facility we are talking about has been renowned for half a century and more. The...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Swimming Pools (1 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: I too support my colleague and implore the Minister of State in this regard. I have an issue with Tusla. God forgive me, it cannot even account for the approximately 50 children who have gone missing in State care in recent years. There is a meeting here to discuss this tomorrow as well. Why is Tusla involved in this premises at all? It is a wonderful facility. As I said, we have two...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Education and Training Boards (1 Jul 2025)

Mattie McGrath: I am disappointed to hear that. There is clearly a misunderstanding because there are students who have enrolled for courses in September. That is inaccurate information that Tipperary ETB has supplied to the Minister of State. I will quote the comments of a student, who said the course made them come out of their shell a lot. The student said it is the best thing they have done and...