Results 2,501-2,520 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (17 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: Question 247: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding jobseeker's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [2178/12]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (17 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: Question 292: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the new schedule of payment rates for the State contributory pension have been set for persons who have average PRSI contributions of less than 48 weeks; and if she will provide the relevant details. [2445/12]

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (17 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: Question 357: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered the possibility of a recruitment round for An Garda Síochána drawing only from the pool of Garda reserves; his general recruitment plans for the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1969/12]

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: It was confirmed that the Taoiseach had legal advice.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: You are not so bad at that yourself.

Order of Business (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: Is any legislation planned to deal with a situation whereby there is a difference of over 2% in the variable interest rate being charged on mortgages by State-owned banks? The Taoiseach asked the Financial Regulator whether he wanted additional powers to intervene in this area, and the answer was "No". Will the Government take the initiative to bring forward legislation to address a clear...

Order of Business (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: It is up to us; we can give him powers.

Order of Business (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: He works to the rules we set. We set the rules.

Television Licence Fee (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: Question 15: To ask the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he has considered the abolition of the TV licence in view of new technologies that are circumventing it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2646/12]

Financial Services Regulation (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter. I am sure we can all agree on the crucial role credit unions play throughout the island and we are all anxious to protect that unique role in whatever way we can. Following the recent appointment of a special manager by the Central Bank to Newbridge Credit Union, a number of issues arise that need to be addressed. It is to be welcomed...

Financial Services Regulation (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. If I may, I will put some direct questions that I hope he will be able to answer. Is there any update on the outline last October by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, of the likely cost to the State of recapitalising the credit unions in Ireland? The estimate at the time was between €0.5 billion and €1 billion. The Government has...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: I too commend Deputy Smith for bringing forward this motion to give Members on all sides of the House the opportunity to make a contribution to this debate. The decision of the Government to make guidance counselling ex quota is forcing schools to make an impossible choice between keeping the guidance counselling service in the school or narrowing the subject choice made available to the...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: Hear, hear.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: They have more manners than the Deputy.

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: Question 77: To ask the Minister for Finance the current status of the reports completed by McCann Fitzgerald and Ernst and Young into certain corporate governance matters at the former Irish Nationwide Building Society; if the reports have been referred to the Garda and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement; and the action being taken on foot of the content of the reports....

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (18 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has raised with Permanent TSB the fact that the standard variable interest rate it charges on mortgages is significantly in excess of the rate charged by other covered institutions; his views that the rate being charged is contributing to the bank's mortgage arrears problem; his plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on...

School Staffing (19 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: Question 6: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has taken on board the concerns of rural communities following the announcement that there will be changes to the staffing schedules for one, two, three and four teacher schools; if he has considered the impact on minority faith schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2935/12]

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (19 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: Question 76: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the need to ensure adequate protection for whistleblowers within the financial services sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3215/12]

Written Answers — EU-IMF Programme: EU-IMF Programme (19 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: Question 77: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the implications for Ireland's funding programme of any possible change in the credit rating of the European Financial Stability Facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3216/12]

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Jan 2012)

Michael McGrath: Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a combination of the recent VAT and excise duty increases, a weak euro and high crude oil prices has resulted in record motor fuel prices; his views on the impact this will have on consumers and business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3217/12]