Results 261-280 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements. (2 Jul 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and the Minister for his presence earlier. Last year, during one of the current Seanad's first meetings, we debated at length the then imminent second referendum on the Nice treaty. One of the fundamental arguments in favour of the treaty, which all parties in the House supported, was that rejection would create a climate in which the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2003)

Michael McCarthy: Yesterday in the other House during a debate on a Bill introduced by Deputy Gilmore on capping land prices, the Taoiseach, when pressed, committed himself to the notion that we would have to have a referendum on the issue if we wished to do so. I ask the Leader when the Taoiseach intends to hold the referendum.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2003)

Michael McCarthy: Will there be a referendum?

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Oct 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I read a report in the Irish Examiner this morning in relation to a housing estate, which is on the market in a midlands town. One of the main selling points of that development was a big sign which said, "No social and affordable housing". That speaks volumes about the mindset of the individual responsible for the advertisement. Could the Leader say what the Government, and in particular,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Oct 2003)

Michael McCarthy: What are they called?

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Dr. McDaid, to the House and thank the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, in his absence, for his attendance. I wish the Minister, Deputy Cullen, a speedy recovery. I can only hope he did not cause the injury to his back by falling off the back of a bin lorry.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: —serve this cause to the extent that it should and a great deal of money has been expended to bring about the desired effect. We need to have a proper recycling system in place if we are serious about asking people to recycle their goods. There is no point having a strategy or initiative that encourages this if we do not have the facilities there to ensure the end product is delivered. As...

Seanad: Insurance Industry Reform: Motion. (5 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Aylward, to the House. I thank the Tánaiste in her absence for attending the debate and Senator O'Meara for sharing her time with me. The House debated this issue in March when the Independent Senators tabled a motion calling for an urgent reduction in insurance premiums, particularly for young drivers. The issue has been debated at great length here....

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I would like to speak about a decision taken by the Government this morning. I refer to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform's announcement that he intends to close two prisons, to place the management of two other prisons in a body outside the prisons service and, in effect, to privatise the prisons escort service. I am not convinced that a case can be made for this proposal...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I mentioned the Minister for Health and Children's comment that cutting waiting lists by the middle of next year is not an achievable target. I ask the Leader to respond to the issues I have raised.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: Such as those from Deputy Cassidy.

Seanad: Direct Payments Decoupling: Statements. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Direct Payments Decoupling: Statements. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I am sure the Senator will give us his advice, as a farmer.

Seanad: Direct Payments Decoupling: Statements. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I will do my best to follow Senator Callanan, whose contribution was as eloquent as usual.

Seanad: Direct Payments Decoupling: Statements. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: It is. It does not cover spam, which was discussed earlier.

Seanad: Direct Payments Decoupling: Statements. (11 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: It is suitable for a post-lunchtime audience, which is just as sensitive. When I searched the Internet, I found a definition of "decoupling" which said that it cuts the link between subsidies and production and allows farmers to move away from unprofitable production and to respond faster to market changes. The document I found gives about five more explanations. I will be happy to give a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: The Senator did not have to contact RTE.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to raise a matter on the disability Bill. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform commissioned Professor Nolan of the ESRI to draw up a report on the disability Bill. He has poured cold water on the possibility of the Bill adopting a rights-based approach. When will the Bill be published? Will it be rights-based and if not, does the Leader consider it worthwhile introducing...

Seanad: Containment of Nuclear Weapons Bill 2000 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (12 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, for dealing with this matter this morning. The amendments were largely a housekeeping exercise and followed exhaustive debate in the other House during which Government and Opposition amendments were combined to make the Bill more effective and to improve its scope. However, they have not altered the Bill's core provisions.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Nov 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I support the fact the Leader has organised a debate on stem cell research. I also support the calls for the Tánaiste to come into the House to engage with Members in questions and answers at the conclusion of the debate. The Tánaiste will make a major decision on 26 or 27 November in Brussels. That decision will allow European Union taxpayers' money to be spent on embryonic stem cell...