Results 4,661-4,680 of 8,026 for speaker:Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The EU has a proposal to bring gas and nuclear in under the green banner. I do not have a problem with it where gas is concerned. However, the fact is we are relying on gas coming from Russia and it is like a tap at the moment, in that it can be turned up or down at any stage. US President Joe Biden announced yesterday they were going to do all in their power to ensure Europe was going to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: It might be worthwhile for the Tánaiste to go back to his Department to look at the amount of gas we are getting from the UK or from Scotland for the simple reason that England, if you read the statistics and the facts, is in a slight bit of bother in relation to it, even though it has its own. On the second part of the Tánaiste's answer, yes, there were social welfare increases...

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I was watching the Minister of State on the screen earlier on when he talked about doing more connections. Am I not correct in saying that, under this contract, if Eir goes into the intervention area for somebody so they get high-speed broadband, then NBI or David McCourt is paid for it? Is that not correct?

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: It is a question. He might answer it.

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The Minister of State is saying to me that if Eir went in and did 50 houses where they have the high-speed broadband, McCourt does not get any money. Is he saying that to me-----

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: -----because I have read the contract.

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Therefore it can get paid.

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Who would sign-----

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Who would sign a contract like that?

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Who would sign a contract like that, where even if I do not do the work I am going to be paid? What civil servant would allow a Minister to sign something like that?

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: No, I do not. I am going to move on because I have only five minutes.

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: All right. The Minister of State might be able to answer-----

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The Minister of State might be able to answer this. Why are people who put in their postcode and were told they would have broadband in 2021 or 2022 now getting information back that it could be 2025 or 2026?

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I gave them to the Department.

National Broadband Plan: Statements (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I will give the Minister of State a little insight because I know the game fairly well. I know many of the contractors - not the main contractors or the subcontractor - but a lot of the ordinary hedge-cutting contractors that do the different types of work related to broadband provision. I can tell the Minister of State what is going on out there because seemingly people do not realise it....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. I am a contractor. As the lads would say, I am not a very big operator but when we are in politics some smart Alec will make a dig. I am a contractor and I do slurry and bailing. I might do 8,000 bales. I have just done a tally that if 50% of FCI members are not eligible for grant aid then between 30,000 to 40,000 farmers throughout...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The maximum amount of grant aid is €40,000. It will not buy a big tank if people have to buy the tank and an agitator. Is this fair to say?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Is it correct to say some countries in the EU have facilitated contractors? My understanding is that one or two countries have facilitated contractors in the system because they understand farmers will not be doing it. To be honest, there is not much point in putting a 2,000 gallon tank behind a Massey Ferguson 135 even if a grant is given for it. I mean no disrespect to the Massey Ferguson...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I wish to ask Mr. Moroney a question. We are discussing climate change and low-emission slurry spreading. There is a report from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on anaerobic digestion. Once the digestate goes through an anaerobic digester at temperature, it is classed as an organic fertiliser, which will be helpful this year. A report done by Teagasc, NUIG, UCD and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: How concerned is Mr. Moroney that, in March 2020, diesel was being bought at 44 cent or 43 cent – it went under 40 cent for a week – but it is at 92 cent in bulk today, or 94 cent for smaller amounts? I have been listening to contractors from my area. With the way the price of diesel is increasing and a carbon tax due to apply to it in May, many contractors now appear to be...