Results 801-820 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (11 May 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Brennan. I also welcome his initiative in opening up a debate on pensions. As one of the youngest Members of the House it is particularly important that I contribute to this debate and provide an insight into the mindset that exists in regard to participation in pension schemes. I wish to focus on a point referred to by Senator O'Toole and other speakers,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to raise with the Leader the alarming rate at which Irish fuel prices have increased in recent months. For the first time ever, the lower taxed diesel is now more expensive than unleaded petrol, with an increase of 5 cent in March alone. Of every euro spent on diesel, 66% goes to the State's coffers.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Michael McCarthy: Will the Leader ask the relevant Minister to come into the House and debate the possibility of reducing this tax and giving a tax break? Irish motorists are being taken advantage of, not only by the insurance industry but by the State due to the State's accrual of so much of the motorists' money. Will the Leader arrange a debate on this issue?

Seanad: Nuclear Plants: Motion. (25 May 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I thank Senator Ross sincerely for sharing his time with me. I welcome this important debate and concur with the comments of previous speakers. This is an issue that, from time to time and for various reasons, has slipped off the agenda yet there have been countless opportunities to keep it to the fore. Casting our minds back to 11 September 2001, we are all too well aware what a civilian...

Seanad: Morris Tribunal Reports: Motion. (15 Jun 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the opportunity to debate this issue and I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The second instalment from the Morris tribunal is very worrying and for the vast majority of the fine, decent and honourable members of the Garda Síochána, it is demoralising. We must not forget the centrepiece of this whole sorry saga, the McBrearty family and other people who were conspired...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I am quite concerned about comments the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, made yesterday when drawing from a position document launched by the National Council on Aging and Older People. The Minister is examining the area of pensions with a view to reforming it, which is a good idea. He goes on to say that, in some countries, the State operates a deal whereby parts of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2005)

Michael McCarthy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: School Accommodation. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to share my time with Senator O'Toole.

Seanad: School Accommodation. (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister and thank her for taking this Adjournment matter. I also thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this important issue on the Adjournment. Essentially, it relates to Scoil Phádraig Naofa, St. Patrick's boys national school in Dunmanway, County Cork. There is a plan to extend the school to include a hall, a computer room, a resource teaching room, a storeroom...

Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McCarthy: Kilkenny did not play enough games in Croke Park this year.

Seanad: National Sporting Facilities: Motion. (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and acknowledge the attendance of the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, and the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. I remember my first attendance during Private Members' time in this House, which began...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I support Senator Brian Hayes's remarks in respect of yesterday's paltry damages award to Mr. Frank Shortt and his family. Members should not forget the misery to which these people were subjected by members of the Garda Síochána, who had nothing but career advancement in mind when they intentionally harangued, hounded, abused and ultimately framed family members for offences of which they...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

Michael McCarthy: In conclusion, Fr. Alec Reid has come in for much criticism for remarks he made at a public meeting yesterday evening. I heard some of the transcript of the meeting on the "Morning Ireland" radio programme.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

Michael McCarthy: He has come in for much criticism from some quarters in the North, but his efforts in respect of the peace process must be appreciated. The depth of the reconciliation required in the North has never been more evident than when one considers the current controversy regarding that issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

Michael McCarthy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Michael McCarthy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Leader and the Senators who pursued this issue for ensuring this important debate took place. Domestic violence is a serious issue. We do not know what goes on behind people's doors from the time they close them at night to coming out the following day. The situation has been and remains merciless and traumatic for the hundreds and thousands of women, in particular, who have been...

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Michael McCarthy: The authority claims that it cannot help the woman in question because she is a joint tenant of a local authority house, along with a thug who has perpetrated evil acts against her. I have tried to convince the local authority to examine the case with the humanity it demands and to give the woman a house on the basis of her needs. She is currently in rented accommodation, which offers her a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to raise the case of Olivia Agbonlahor, the Nigerian lady who was residing in The Lodge in Clonakilty and who was collected by gardaí from Bandon Garda station yesterday morning. The Minister has now intervened to halt her deportation. She and her journalist husband fled Nigeria because he wrote about the activities of local drug dealers. She sought refuge in this country. She has...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Michael McCarthy: It is scandalous.