Results 241-260 of 20,725 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Reform of Structures of Government: Motion (Resumed) (10 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to be able to speak on the Private Members' motion. There are a wide range of topics which I could cover but I want to address whistleblowers legislation. I had a call to my office today from a very distressed person from my county who was concerned about an individual living in Dublin who lost his job yesterday which was his thanks for whistleblowing. I want to raise issues...

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on the proposal for a directly-elected mayor for Dublin. While one might ask what interest is it of mine, I am an elected representative from south County Tipperary and am interested both in the concept and its roll-out to other parts of the country. Under this Bill, the mayor will have a range of substantial powers to establish and deliver a...

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I have serious reservations about it. I hope Fine Gael will be able to deal with it when they take over.

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: The Mayor will also have a role in the annual budgetary process for the Dublin local authorities and a power to direct any of the four Dublin local authorities - directions which must be complied with. I love the word, "must" here. I hope it happens. In the normal course, the Mayor will work in partnership with the Dublin local authorities, and the need to issue a direction is unlikely. I...

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am querying this. I will not vote for it blindfolded. I have issues. I met the Minister and I will meet him again next week. We must have a changed system. I do not believe we are giving more powers to bureaucrats. If this Bill is worth the paper on which it is written it will vest powers in the Mayor and not in the manager.

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: A new regional development board will be chaired by the Mayor and will replace four city and county development boards. I welcome that. The new regional development board will bring together leaders in local government, commerce, education, enterprise and other key partners. Ratepayers should be included, as key stakeholders. The Mayor's mandate will give him or her the authority to hold...

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I do not know what the Corkman is saying. I missed that. A constituent of mine who lives in Cashel quite close to Deputy Tom Hayes got two e-voting machines despite of my failure to get my hands on a machine for him. He is a computer expert and has concluded that, with very few software changes, they could be adapted for any purpose in schools, community centres or resource centres. I am...

Medical Cards (17 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this matter of huge importance. It is a problem in the HSE primary care reimbursement service system that is preventing medical card patients from accessing their care and medication. It must be rectified as a matter of urgency. I was shocked recently when a medical card holder informed me that she was charged by her doctor...

Straitéis 20 Bliain Don Ghaeilge: Ráitis (18 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Cuirim fáilte roimh an tuairisc seo agus tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo againn inniu. Tá ról na straitéise fíor-tabhachtach don teanga, d'ár féiniúlacht agus d'ár gcultúr. I welcome the strategy and it is timely that we have the debate. The Irish language is an important element of our heritage and culture. It is unique to our nation. Tá na moltaí ar...

Site Acquisitions (23 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I have raised this issue to seek clarification on the current position regarding the acquisition of a site to facilitate the amalgamation of the Cahir boys national school and Our Lady of Mercy national school in Cahir, County Tipperary. I wish to know whether the site can be acquired by the State from the Mercy Order under the redress scheme. These are two major schools in Cahir town which...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (23 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Question 135: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of pubs that have had their licences renewed by the licensing office of the Revenue Commissioners, year-on-year since 2005. [43951/10]

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I wish to share time with Deputy Niall Blaney. I am delighted to speak on the Bill this evening and I welcome the Minister for Social Protection, whom I compliment for his reforms and understanding attitude in the provisions of this Bill. He has also been understanding in interacting with backbenchers and the committee responsible for social welfare. We have had many engagements, some of...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 (25 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter concerning self-employed persons when companies go into liquidation. I refer to what happened to Pierse Construction in recent days where more than 1,600 sub-contractors were left penniless and their employees do not know what will happen. Most of these people have families and there are sad stories behind them....

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I said last night that I was ready to support this budget and I believed it to be in the best interest of this State. I do not want to play politics with this decision-----

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Mattie McGrath: -----unlike my colleagues across the floor of the House. Possibly the political thing to do would be to reject the budget, but I do not believe the interests of the people I represent would be served by putting politics before conscience. It is my priority to get the ECB and the IMF out of Ireland-----

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Mattie McGrath: -----and the only way I can see us doing that is to straighten out our finances. We have to get our house in order.

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Mattie McGrath: We could be looking at a scenario where we would not have the funds to pay our public servants in March or April next year if we did not adopt this budget.

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Mattie McGrath: There are elements in the budget that I welcome. I have had a number of meetings with the Chief Whip, the Minister of State, Deputy Curran-----

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Mattie McGrath: -----and with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan. The Deputies opposite will get an opportunity to contribute. I am happy to see that some of my policies have been incorporated in yesterday's budget, including the commitment for 15,000 additional employment activation places, the employment and investment incentives for the financing of SMEs and the tax relief for home...

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Mattie McGrath: -----and the Student Support Bill through this House as well as many more Bills. I will back on board as long as I consider issues are fair-----