Results 3,661-3,680 of 20,725 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Children's Rights Referendum (13 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the full McCrystal judgement handed down last week in the Supreme Court; the reason her Department used €1.1 million of Exchequer funding to support the Yes campaign; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6999/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: EU Proposals on Roadworthiness Testing: Discussion with Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (13 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I apologise for not being present for the presentation. I thank the guests for appearing before the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: EU Proposals on Roadworthiness Testing: Discussion with Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (13 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Chairman. I am delighted to engage with them and acknowledge the strides they have made in regard to health and safety in general. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 is already the law. This is an area in which we must tread carefully. I note from the document that derogations have been sought and agreed to. The problem I have with that is that the law only...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: EU Proposals on Roadworthiness Testing: Discussion with Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (13 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I accept this document, but we have got some derogations and I am seeking clarification on those. I have asked my question about the 40 kg box, but I am making the point that we have enough regulation and do not need more. I am all for health and safety. Agricultural contractors and farmers need engagement with the Health and Safety Authority and the Road Safety Authority, but we do not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: EU Proposals on Roadworthiness Testing: Discussion with Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (13 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the witnesses for their presentations. Mr. Brett of the Road Safety Authority skirted around the factors involved, namely, high speeds, weights being carried such as 40 kg boxes or whatever. He might clarify that point. He quoted the figure of 6% of the workforce in agriculture and I would have thought the figure was higher but nonetheless I accept his figures. The figure of 48%...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: EU Proposals on Roadworthiness Testing: Discussion with Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (13 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: On a point of clarification, an important issue, which will arise again at the end of this point, is that roadside hedges cannot be cut because of the provisions of the wildlife legislation. As a practitioner engaged in agricultural contracting I know, as do we all, that the front of the tractor can be anything from 8 ft. to 10 ft. in front of the cab. With the roadside hedges uncut, it is...

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I rise on my feet in the knowledge that thousands of families and homeowners, many of whom are in extreme negative equity and perilous situations, are grappling with intolerable levels of personal debt, especially those with home mortgages. I watched the gleeful acceptance and acclamation of the Government and its backbenchers of a wonderful deal last week - certainly I did not think it...

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I am disappointed with the Minister's reply but I suppose I should not have expected much more. We heard righteous indignation from the other side of the House about burning the bondholders but the Minister now tells us that €15 billion was already burned. I have acknowledged that it was a mistake that I voted for the bank guarantee but the Members opposite have done likewise on a...

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I am asking about the home tax. Prior to the election the Taoiseach described a tax on the home as unfair and unjust. The Labour Party campaigned against home taxes for many years but it is doing the exact opposite now that it is in Government. The people are confused and disappointed. I ask about the snitch clause that is being included in the Bill. Does the Government want us to become...

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I accepted my responsibility.

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: What about amendments?

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: More Big Brother.

Order of Business (14 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: Hear, hear.

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: Measaim go bhfuil rud amháin maith sa Bhille seo agus is é sin an t-ainm, Uisce Éireann. The only positive part of this Bill is the name of the proposed agency which is as Gaeilge. I have very little faith in the way the agency has been proposed listening to Deputy Catherine Murphy describe how the environment committee was treated and how the Minister for the Environment,...

Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I hope the Taoiseach had the opportunity to hear the passionate words of Father Michael Cusack on RTE last Saturday. The Taoiseach was away on very serious business in London but I hope somebody relayed Father Cusack's words to him. With the lack of basic equipment, the withdrawal of Garda vehicles and the lack of access to information and communication technology, morale is at an all-time...

Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: ----are contributing to an all-time low in morale. I ask the Taoiseach and his colleagues to listen to the Garda Síochána. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, refuses to listen to them and demonises them, saying that the GRA has "form". This is different and anyone who watched the rally last night could clearly see the frustration on the faces of all of the...

Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: The Taoiseach needs to show it.

Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: He left them waiting for over an hour for a meeting.

Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: They have no telephones.

Leaders' Questions (19 Feb 2013)

Mattie McGrath: That is an insult. They never sat in stations. They were out talking to the public.