Results 2,521-2,540 of 20,725 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: They are from the Gaeltacht Bill.

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: Perhaps the Minister is trying to confuse us altogether.

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I did it to keep the Minister in humour.

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I do not.

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: Where are we now?

Government Response to Mahon Tribunal Recommendations: Statements (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: We are all running out of time.

Government Response to Mahon Tribunal Recommendations: Statements (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: That is not very fair.

Government Response to Mahon Tribunal Recommendations: Statements (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I am disappointed the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, and the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, have left the Chamber. I respect the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, but I-----

Government Response to Mahon Tribunal Recommendations: Statements (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I fully accept that and we spoke about that earlier. I am glad the Minister of State is here but they are the heavy hitters we are told about all the time. I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes. Much was expected of the Mahon tribunal. However, it sat for an eternity, made millionaires out of many barristers and produced a huge final report that would take weeks to...

Government Response to Mahon Tribunal Recommendations: Statements (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I am speaking to the issue. Three Ministers made speeches about transparency, openness and ethics. The Minister would not accept a scrap metal Bill to prevent the plunder of houses every day of the week. He is now saying people should sell-----

Government Response to Mahon Tribunal Recommendations: Statements (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: Yes.

Government Response to Mahon Tribunal Recommendations: Statements (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I know that. We had three short statements made by Ministers who took the high moral ground.

Government Response to Mahon Tribunal Recommendations: Statements (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: The Ministers' contributions smacked of condescension.

Government Response to Mahon Tribunal Recommendations: Statements (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I am referring to the statements made by three Ministers. I look forward to the contribution of the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, who has not yet spoken. We had three condescending statements which referred to what took place under Fianna Fáil Party Governments. This Government has carried on the very same practices and does not have an interest or any notion of changing it....

Natural Gas Grid (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the circumstances surrounding the underground gas exploration that occurred during the commissioning of the new Bord Gáis high pressure pipeline between Middleton, County Cork and Ballyporeen, County Tipperary and the gas explosion in Leixlip, County Kildare; the safeguards that are in place to prevent a...

Natural Gas Grid (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Minister and I accept his point that it is an operational matter. I do not want to be scaremongering, but I have good information that there was an explosion not too far from the Tipperary border. The Minister may say there is an independent internal review and that it was not a pipeline integrity issue, but I still have huge worries. I would not have had a clue about those...

Natural Gas Grid (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I agree that the company has a proud record. I am just worried on behalf of people who come to me. I cannot say whether there was an explosion or not, but I am told there was. I am not doubting the Minister's word. My worry is that there is a serious slippage of standards with the changeover in companies and organisations. We cannot afford that because it will be too late when something...

Sale of State Assets (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister has reassured me to some extent with regard to the position of the ESB. However, I am concerned in respect of what is happening with Bord Gáis in the context of its contracting work out to a company called Balfour Beatty. The process in this regard does not bode well for the future. I do not understand the technical aspects involved but binding national agreements were made...

Sale of State Assets (19 Jul 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I accept this is a delicate matter. However, is the Minister in a position to indicate whether, if further privatisation occurs, assurances will be given to consumers and safeguards will be put in place in respect of both employees and private contractors of good standing whose services have previously been used by companies such as Bord Gáis? I am not stating that these private...

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2012)

Mattie McGrath: It is no laughing matter.