Results 201-220 of 20,725 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 May 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Question 217: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when broadband is expected to be rolled out in areas (details supplied) of South Tipperary and West Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20895/10]

Diversification of Primary School Provision: Statements (20 May 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I wish to share time with Deputy Paul Connaughton.

Diversification of Primary School Provision: Statements (20 May 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am pleased to be able to make a brief contribution to today's debate. As a parent, like other speakers, I know that what most parents and families want is a proper grounding and education for children who attend all kinds of national schools. The VECs have a proven track record over the past 80 years in meeting the responsibilities and needs of colleges. A model has been set out that can...

Diversification of Primary School Provision: Statements (20 May 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I appreciate that but I acknowledge that these people have given their time for this cause. Admissions were allowed from all walks of life, and the policies were inclusive, clear and unambiguous. It allowed access from all the local communities, without being selective. That model should be drawn upon and introduced to new areas. I pay tribute to what the VECs have done over the years at...

Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 May 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I too am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. Begging is a sensitive issue, especially in the hard times we face at present. It is important to balance the need for law and order with an appropriate response to a human and societal problem. The Bill achieves this balance, in that it does not criminalise begging itself but leaves only aggressive begging as a crime. It...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed). (16 Jun 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I wish to share time with Deputy Conlon.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed). (16 Jun 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I want to be associated with the comments the previous speaker made about our new Minister for Social Protection as I know he is a very compassionate, understanding and decisive man. He is a man of great courage and responsibility. I compliment him on two issues in which he has made a real difference since getting his new portfolio. For a long time the farmers' spouses were in a very...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed). (16 Jun 2010)

Mattie McGrath: The Fine Gael Members have been trying to find their way for a few days and I wish them well with that.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed). (16 Jun 2010)

Mattie McGrath: The Deputy is trying to distract me. He came in for peace from the canvass but he has started to turn on me. The organisation's vision for the development of Muintir na Tíre is that while retaining its position in the heart of community development throughout Ireland it will develop its services to become even more relevant to the needs of communities. Muintir na Tíre will support...

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Jun 2010)

Mattie McGrath: As a member of the Government party I should have my hands around my two Green Party colleagues here but, unfortunately, this is not the case. I am not happy either. The Minister knows this and so does his colleague, the former Minister of State, Deputy Sargent. I have had many debates with my colleague in government and I hope to have some more during the passage of upcoming Bills but in...

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Jun 2010)

Mattie McGrath: We will not go deer-stalking. I am not easy about being part of this Bill and I have serious concerns about upcoming legislation, as the Minister is aware. I rest my case. I thank my colleagues for not heckling.

Civil Partnership Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I honestly believe, and it is also the view of experts in legal circles, that the proposed legislation relating to property rights is too simplistic, particularly in terms of protecting cohabitants. The legislation is being rushed through and it is a very complicated area to get right. By rushing it through we could end up with lame duck legislation. The provisions on financial dependency...

Civil Partnership Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Thankfully.

Civil Partnership Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I hope so.

Civil Partnership Bill 2010: Fifth Stage (1 Jul 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am not of the same mind on this matter as some of my senior colleagues. This Bill has far-reaching consequences for more than 120,000 cohabiting couples who will find themselves in a legal web not of their own making. When relationships break down, and inevitably they do, cohabitees will be open to maintenance and property claims similar to those that arise following a marriage break up,...

Civil Partnership Bill 2010: Fifth Stage (1 Jul 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I appreciate that but I wanted to make these points at the end of the debate. I am at least grateful that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government refrained from bashing the bishop in his closing remarks.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (6 Jul 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Question 541: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made in issuing letters of notification to local authorities regarding housing association schemes in the south east, the south and the mid-west who have been sanctioned under the capital assistance scheme but cannot proceed until such letters are issued; the reason for this continuing delay;...

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I agree with my colleagues across the Chamber. I appeal at this late stage to the Minister to consider the amendments. We have had many meetings, and they were not in smoke-filled rooms. I assure Deputy Hogan that I attended all the meetings up to last week. The meetings are ongoing. I concur with my south Tipperary colleague. The greyhound industry is a vital one. The Government took...

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Mattie McGrath: We are all in favour of legislation to deal with the dastardly practices of abusive puppy farms. The then Minister, Deputy Dick Roche initiated the Bill. Abusive practices must be stopped and people must be prosecuted for shameful practices. There is no sense or meaning in trying to define a breeding bitch by her age in months. I have had many cordial debates with the Minister on this,...

European Economic and Social Committee (8 Jul 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I wish to share time with my colleague Deputy Hoctor. We are playing for the Tipperary team tonight. I apologise for not being here earlier as I was not expecting to be called so soon. Since we joined the EEC in 1973, the farming pillar has had two seats at the European Economic and Social Committee, one held by the IFA and one by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association. I was only...