Results 641-660 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 7: In page 4, lines 33 and 34, after "payments" to insert "(other than payments discharged under section 2 or payments otherwise not recoverable in law)". This amendment has been changed somewhat since Committee Stage to clarify our intention in tabling it. There could be many instances in which there are arrears of annuity payments which are not recoverable. Such arrears...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 8: In page 4, line 35, to delete "not more than" and substitute "on or after the day which is". This is merely a drafting amendment which is designed to remove an ambiguity in the subsection. As drafted, the subsection provides that a certificate of the Minister must be dated not more than four months prior to the date of the instrument. The provision is somewhat...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: The Minister's wording is confusing and our amendment was tabled in the second instance in the interest of clarity.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 9: In page 4, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: "(2) The Minister shall, on application by a person entitled to a certificate under subsection (1), issue such a certificate as soon as practicable after such an application.". On Committee Stage, the Minister did not like the phrase "as soon as practicable". The term "as soon as may be" provides more...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister and her officials for attending the House this and last week. The purpose of our amendments was to improve the quality of legislation, an objective to which we all aspire. I wish the Minister well in her new brief.

Seanad: Planning and Related Issues: Statements. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: More often than not it is in somebody's car boot.

Seanad: Garda Recruitment: Motion. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister to the House. I wish to make a few general observations about the Garda Síochána. There is an issue about how the Garda does its work. We have a fine complement of gardaí. They are unarmed, which is a testament to their ability, professionalism and integrity. Over the years they have commanded great amounts of respect and that is a testament to the way in which they...

Seanad: Garda Recruitment: Motion. (20 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: At least those communities had Garda stations.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: The reality of suicide in this country is a difficult issue to face not least for the families who are suffering because of it, but for society as a whole and that contributes in no small way to the under-reporting of suicide. Yesterday in Belfast, Youth Suicide Prevention, a joint initiative between the Health Development Agency and Institute of Public Health in Ireland, held a seminar and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I have two points, one of which has already been raised. I ask the Leader to organise an immediate debate with the new Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, so he might assure both Houses that those who accepted the minimum share scheme offered by the special savings incentive accounts will not have their social welfare payments negatively affected. It is critical that we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: The man concerned is not fit to be a Commissioner.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: Yesterday morning on the Order of Business I raised the possibility that interest accruing from special savings investment accounts could affect the entitlement of social welfare recipients. I am glad the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, assured us that he would look at this issue and see if he could arrange a derogation on means assessed for social welfare recipients....

Seanad: Planning and Related Issues: Statements (Resumed). (28 Oct 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor Lenihan, to the House and congratulate him on his recent appointment as Minister of State. I regret that I did not speak in the earlier part of this debate as I would have had the opportunity to also congratulate the Minister, Deputy Roche, on his appointment as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Nov 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I raise the issue of media ownership, particularly newspaper ownership, following on from a recent high profile documentary on RTE. Will the Leader facilitate a debate on that issue to establish the involvement of families, particularly in newspaper ownership which is a very powerful organ of the media? I disagree fundamentally with Senator Norris on the issue of transport. There is a real...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister. Generally, this is good legislation which is both long and detailed. It is significant in what it aspires to do. On that note, I concur with previous speakers in regard to the level of consultation. I appreciate it is almost impossible to gain full approval for any legislation, particularly from the groups affected, but for the sake of this legislation and its passage...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I mentioned the issuing of licences for drugs, in respect of which enormous costs are involved in terms of manpower and expertise. However, the issue of co-operation as between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom needs to be addressed. For example, some drugs are designed for occasional use only. This might mean that while a veterinarian in Newry could use a medicine, his or her...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2004)

Michael McCarthy: There are vested interests, but I believe there is a serious issue to be considered. The legislation is long and detailed and obviously I will be tabling amendments where I believe it needs improvement. I welcome the thrust of the Bill and appreciate what it aspires to do. I know the former Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Walsh, first proposed it in 2001. There was a press release...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (4 Nov 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue on the Adjournment. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, and congratulate him on his reappointment. I raise the issue of the proposed 14-bed extension to Schull Community Hospital. The hospital was opened in 1942 and serves the people of Schull, Ballydehob and Goleen. It has 21 beds for providing continuing care, including...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Michael McCarthy: It is abysmal.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to raise the issue of the Chernobyl Children's Project. During the last few days some signals have emanated from Belarus to the effect that the number of children travelling to Ireland under that project could be restricted. This project is successful, worthwhile and important for the wellbeing of the children in that badly blighted area. Perhaps the Leader would raise this issue with...