Results 481-500 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2004)

Michael McCarthy: And then they are unable to remember it.

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to touch on the nitrates directive and the live export trade. One could be forgiven earlier for thinking this was a debate on the policy of the Green Party in a number of areas. I am glad some Members on the Government side accept the reality that we are in the dying days of this Administration. The next Government will comprise the caring coalition of the democratic alliance, good...

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Michael McCarthy: Correct. There has been much debate and much sitting on the fence recently on the nitrates directive. The failure of this Government to implement the nitrates directive is delaying the implementation of REPS III. REPS III is paying €80 per hectare as opposed to its predecessor which paid €60. This is not a plausible position. I accept there are other urgent priorities for this...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2004)

Michael McCarthy: While not proposing a vote of sympathy, I too share the sentiments expressed by the leader of the Fine Gael group on the passing of Father Niall O'Brien. He represented what is good about the clergy at a time when many questions had to be asked. When one examines the road the church has taken on some issues, Father O'Brien represented all that was good about people who give their lives to God...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I would not be so sure about that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2004)

Michael McCarthy: A Fianna Fáil Member.

Seanad: Disabilities Bill: Motion. (28 Apr 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, and I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this issue, which is close to everyone's heart. A few minutes ago I was in my office and I heard the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Ahern, say: "Typical Labour Party". If that means standing up for the rights of people with disabilities and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome yesterday's statement by the Sisters of Mercy which unequivocally and unconditionally apologised to all those who had suffered while in institutions under their care over the years. It is time such an open and transparent apology was made. I welcome the fact that most victims' groups, if not all, have broadly welcomed the apology. I agree with Senator Brian Hayes with regard to the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: It will not make much difference in the many parts of the country where people are continually stuck in traffic jams. The Government has continually chipped away at the powers of local government over the past six or seven years. We recently debated the setting of the charges for refuse collection which is no longer a function of the elected members of county councils. It is disgraceful that...

Seanad: Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (6 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern. This is usually the area of responsibility of Senator O'Meara, but I have done some research for the purpose of the Bill. I wish to raise a number of issues, including the sustained increase in ESB charges. An imbalance exists in this regard in terms of the profits made by the ESB in recent times. Last year there was an increase of 13.25% and a 5%...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (7 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher. I also welcome the opportunity to contribute on Second Stage. There has been a great deal of discussion in recent weeks and months in respect of this issue. If we knew then what we know now, much of that debate might not have taken place. I welcome the report of the commission. It was a good decision to establish the commission. The views...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I do not intend to propose a vote of sympathy but I note with regret the tragic passing of Mick Doyle this morning.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: With regard to the issue the Leader of the Opposition raised, it is clear the Government has participated in underhand negotiations with the republican movement about the possible release of the killers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe. Everybody in this island was outraged at the cold blooded and brutal manner in which Detective Garda McCabe was murdered on that fateful morning in Adare in...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (11 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—This Act (other than Part 3) shall not come into operation until such time as the Commission established by Part 3 certifies that the other provisions of this Act are in accordance with the highest standards of transparency and accountability and safeguard fully the integrity and privacy of the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: The Minister of State's response to the amendment is disappointing. Given the level of confusion surrounding this debate and the general debasement visited upon the electoral system by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, it would be wise to consider the merits of the amendments, in particular amendment No. 4, a fine amendment tabled by Senator Quinn. It is vital...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: In view of my expressed wish to obtain favourable replies from the Minister on later amendments, I will withdraw this amendment.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, before section 1, to insert the following new section: 1.-—The functions of the Minister under this Act shall not be exercisable in relation to an election by a holder of the office of Minister who is also a director of elections in respect of that election.". The amendment is important in terms of conflict of interest. When the Minister responsible for...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: Senator Brady first mentioned previous Ministers who were directors of elections. Fianna Fáil has been in Government for fourteen and a half of the last 17 years. He also said the party has led the way in many areas——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: ——not least in some I mentioned in my previous contribution. Perhaps it is time it led the way in this area. This House debated at length the merits and demerits of the abolition of the dual mandate. We were lectured by the Minister, Deputy Cullen, on a division of responsibility between Members of the Oireachtas and members of local authorities. The majority of people bit that bullet,...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

Michael McCarthy: The Minister neglected to mention one Labour Party Minister. That was TJ Murphy, who served in the inter-party Government from 1948 to 1951. He was never director of elections and I won his council seat five years ago.