Results 4,301-4,320 of 20,725 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: We got lots of information but we denied it. The heads of the Bill were drawn up in spite of it.

Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: Balanced.

Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to contribute to this Second Stage debate. This legislation has been rushed. It has a nice title but there is little else in it. Like other speakers I am concerned. I was a Member of the previous Dáil and I saw the Government when in opposition objecting on a regular basis - often with good reason - to the use of guillotines. However, the Government has excelled...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: No. I am not accusing anyone. They were lies but I will not say who said them. They were total lies. I am sorry, I cannot withdraw it. They are still being perpetrated on a daily basis and the problem is being laid on the backs of ordinary people. I respect the Acting Chairman and I do not like upsetting him but I could not call them anything else. They were damned lies.

Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: Okay, I will not repeat it. I have said it often enough. I lived through it again on the night of the promissory notes. It was the same all-night saga about legislation that had been drafted six months previously. We are being fed and led by official Ireland not respecting the people who were elected democratically. I accept I am only one of those for the time being. We are being said...

Leaders' Questions (23 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: Ar an chéad dul síos, I offer my sympathy and that of the Technical Group to the community of Woolwich in south London and voice our revulsion at what happened yesterday. We have heard much in the past few days about the need for accountability and transparency in Irish politics, especially at ministerial level. We have heard the Minister for Justice and Equality say time and...

Leaders' Questions (23 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Tánaiste. I do not raise it as a joke and think the Tánaiste is missing the point. It is the Minister for Justice and Equality we are talking about because of the events since he was appointed Minister for Justice and Equality and the way he has treated the public and An Garda Síochána. The events of last week involving the fixed penalty points controversy...

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: On the local government Bill, I am dizzy from the spin and rumours from Government backbenchers to the effect that they have the actual document of the so-called independent commission. We have been told what the constituencies will be and who will be fixed up and sorted out all by way of leaks from Big Phil, the Minister.

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister, Deputy Hogan.

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: Yes. I also want to ask about the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012. The Taoiseach was in Brussels yesterday doing a good job, but I was surprised that agriculture was not on the agenda. Taxation was on it and other issues but not the plight of the farming community and Ireland in general on foot of the fodder crisis which is ongoing into next year now. I am surprised nothing has been...

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I raised it last week.

Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I was speaking on this last night in the context of the referendum held last year. It asked the public to give more powers to Oireachtas committees and the public said "No" for a very good reason. It was not picked up by the media at the time or anyone else that many on the Independent benches spoke against it and voted against it with good reason. I have no faith in tribunals and their...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mobility Allowance Decision (23 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: 207. To ask the Minister for Health if details are available for the new scheme which is to replace the mobility allowance scheme; if those who are currently in receipt of the mobility allowance will transfer automatically to the new payment; the date on which applications will be accepted for the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24850/13]

Leaders' Questions (28 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I will wait for the Minister to attend the House this evening and perhaps he will give us the answers I asked the Tánaiste for last week. Last week in his closing statement, the Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children explicitly stated the protection of life during pregnancy Bill as it stands-----

Leaders' Questions (28 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: If Deputy Rabbitte wishes me to change I will.

Leaders' Questions (28 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I am tempted to come back. I have plenty of confidence.

Leaders' Questions (28 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I beg the Ceann Comhairle's indulgence. I do not think any cow would pass a crossroads that would not be milked by the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte. This is a serious issue and if the Ceann Comhairle does not mind I will start again.

Leaders' Questions (28 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: Last week in his closing statement, the Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children explicitly stated the protection of life during pregnancy Bill as it stands only provides a framework but not the detail. He stated it is not the final Bill, it is not the new law and is a preliminary document. The next morning, less than 12 hours later, during an interview on national...

Leaders' Questions (28 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. Deputy Buttimer might well get the nod for the Minister of State post, by all accounts. It is looking good. I acknowledge that we will have to have further time to debate this issue when the Bill comes before both Houses. Whether those debates will be equally ignored remains to be seen.

Leaders' Questions (28 May 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I want to ask the Taoiseach about his insistence that we must legislate on foot of the Supreme Court judgment in the X case. The X case itself cannot lend to this proposed legislation a justification that makes head 4 legally justifiable, not to mention legally compelling. While head 4 is faithful to the details of the test laid down in the X case, it is not faithful to the later...