Results 701-720 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (23 Feb 2005)

Michael McCarthy: We agree the Government is a shambles.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: Last Christmas, the Department of Social and Family Affairs gave two payments, instead of one, to recipients of certain social welfare allowances such as invalidity payment, carer's allowance and retirement pensions. The double payments received a great deal of attention in the media at that time. Various people, including representatives of sectoral groups, called on the Government to allow...

Seanad: Food Safety: Statements. (3 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome this debate. It is taking place as a result of recent reports of the contamination of food products with the industrial dye Sudan Red 1. Most of us had never heard of it until it made the news. This opened up an important debate on food safety on this country and our attitudes thereto. This country has relied on the food industry in recent years. We have built a good reputation...

Seanad: Food Safety: Statements. (3 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: On a point of order. Senator Coonan asked for this debate also.

Seanad: Food Safety: Statements. (3 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (9 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: This important debate has been given added impetus as a result of the forthcoming by-elections in Meath and Kildare North. Child care is one of the main issues debated on the doorsteps with politicians of all hues. A number of comparisons have been made between the situation now and in 1997. This comparison does not compare like with like. Much has happened in the past eight years, not least...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: The Senator should sit down.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I support the Senators who raised the issue of the Nigerian student and the manner in which he was deported. I will quote a comment he made to The Irish Times on 21 March 2005 when he was contacted in Lagos: I had nowhere to go. When I was walking around I ran into some gangsters, who thought I had money on me. I was attacked and molested. My clothes were torn, I was starving and I had no...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I support Senator Henry's amendment, for obvious reasons, considering the amendments have been grouped. It is a reasonable request for the Minister to consider this proposal. The inclusion of the word "humane" is an important issue. We must be mindful of the implications of failing to examine this in the proper context and of perhaps allowing a situation to occur which the Minister would not...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 4: In page 10, subsection (1), line 30, after "public", where it secondly occurs, to insert "free or". The provision in section 2 does not specifically require the Veterinary Council of Ireland to charge a fee for making information available to the public. However, by using the term "if any", it may seem appropriate to highlight the possibility of making information...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I support Senator Henry's comments. The original 1931 legislation is entitled the Veterinary Surgeons Act. The expression is in common usage which this amendment seeks to take into account. I am not asking the Minister to move mountains on this matter. It is simply being practical in how terminology is applied.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: This issue is worthy of re-examination on Report Stage. I urge the Minister to reflect on it until then.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: The lobby groups also raised this matter and Veterinary Ireland made a genuine point in claiming that the council had insufficient vets. This amendment is worthwhile and the Minister should actively consider it. While considerable discourse about this aspect of the Bill has taken place, it would be reasonable for the Minister to consider this proposal positively.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: It is strange for a university Senator to propose such an amendment but I agree that the issue of academic representation is adequately covered in subsection (e). Subsection (d) provides for the appointment of "one person who is nominated for appointment as a member of the council by the Minister for Education and Science and is engaged in the provision of higher education". Section (e) goes...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: That was in reference to a separate amendment. My amendment indicates that 16(1)(e) deals with the matter appropriately.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 8: In page 16, subsection (1)(e), lines 9 to 11, to delete subparagraphs (i) and (ii) and substitute: "(i) one is the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at University College Dublin". This amendment, if accepted, will ensure that the dean of the faculty of veterinary medicine at University College Dublin will continue to be a member of the council. I expect a...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: The Minister stated on Second Stage that she would be willing to accept compromises in many areas and this reflects that in one of the more practical ones. The issue is not so much about figures as it is about having a broad base of knowledge. These people are practitioners involved at the coalface who will bring a greater variety of expertise to the council which is a move in the right direction.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 19: In page 18, subsection (2), line 27, after "day" to insert ", but half of the members of the Council who are the first members of the Council shall have a term of office of two years" This amendment was tabled because the Veterinary Council recommended that while all members should serve four years, there should be a two year roll-over so that the entire membership of...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 23: "In page 20, subsection (9)(a), line 28, to delete "may" and substitute "shall"." This amendment has been tabled to many Bills in this House. The legislation requires a member of the council to carry out the functions of a registrar. It does not seem appropriate to give the council discretion not to appoint an acting registrar in the absence of the registrar. Where...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: There might be a situation where someone might not consider it necessary to appoint an acting registrar. The registrar might be absent for a variety of reasons. What is proposed in the amendment would be a safer approach in terms of dealing with the absence of a registrar. It goes back to the use of the words "shall" and "may". There should be a more binding responsibility or onus on the...