Results 8,801-8,820 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations: Motion (19 Dec 2012)

Finian McGrath: I thank and commend our Defence Forces for their magnificent peacekeeping work abroad. I know from family members who have served in the Defence Forces that it is at times very risky. It is appropriate that all Members of the Oireachtas thank and commend the 438 members of the Defence Forces who will be abroad this Christmas. The Minister mentioned southern Lebanon, which he said was...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations: Motion (19 Dec 2012)

Finian McGrath: The Minister is not helping the case by using the term "battlegroup".

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations: Motion (19 Dec 2012)

Finian McGrath: Who are we going into battle with?

Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (20 Dec 2012)

Finian McGrath: I wish to share time with Deputies Mattie McGrath and Catherine Murphy. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I welcome this important Bill and the debate on the new Ireland of 2012. It is important that we deal with change, enjoy diversity and difference and, above all, respect all citizens on this island. We also must respect people of all religions and those...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Availability (20 Dec 2012)

Finian McGrath: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of new lending approved and drawn down, as opposed to renewals or bundling of existing credit facilities by each of AIB and Bank of Ireland in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57633/12]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (20 Dec 2012)

Finian McGrath: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a urologist for Temple Street Hospital, Dublin (details supplied) [57568/12]

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: This is an historic occasion.

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: Give us a break.

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: I will be taking a strong and differing view from that of the Minister and the rest of my colleagues. It is important that dissenting views-----

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: -----are heard. I am not giving them up. I will also be challenging some of the statistics presented by the Department of Health, the HSE, ASH, and most of my colleagues in the Oireachtas. I am asking for a reasonable, balanced and fair hearing. It is important that this is a debate that is balanced and based on reliable facts and information. Attacking or marginalising smokers is not...

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: The Minister may not.

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: I will not withdraw it. The Minister may revert to me when he is replying. The Minister may not be aware that the US Environmental Protection Agency study that gave rise to this type of figure was found by the federal court in the United States to have "knowingly, wilfully, and aggressively disseminated false information with far reaching regulatory implications in the US and worldwide"....

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: I am making my point and have asked for a balanced debate.

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: I am putting forward another point of view, I am not misleading House. I am asking questions about the Minister's figures and am entitled to do so. He may answer them later if he wants to do so. The expert report issued before the ban instigated by former Minister, Deputy Martin was couched in numerous caveats, such as "may be", "could be" and "might be". One matter is clear however -...

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor should listen to some of the facts, for once. She is the one who was always talking about heckling people. Let us cool down and have a bit of respect for people. There are many modern ventilation systems that allow for 12 air changes per 60 minutes. Previous Ministers shied away from this fact, claiming in a previous debate that outdated technology allowing...

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: There is a demand for cheap cigarettes. The Deputy is missing the point. The Government's policy is resulting in the loss of more jobs in the retail sector. If the Deputy goes to Waterford and questions the proprietors of small shops there, he will learn the facts. Displacing smokers to the black market is part of the policy of this Bill. The argument is that the more cigarettes are...

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: He should have a cigar and also take note of the great health service it has bearing in mind that it is a very poor country. To return to the legislation, it is amending the existing legislation to comply with the judgment of the European Court of Justice that having minimum retail prices for cigarettes infringes European Union law. The ruling does not interfere with the State's ability to...

Further Education and Training: Motion [Private Members] (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: It is disgraceful.

Further Education and Training: Motion [Private Members] (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the debate on this motion on further education and training. I totally support the motion because it is a very important part of the equation in getting this country up and running after the economic crisis. All economists, teachers, educationalists and most sensible TDs in this House recognise that education is a huge part of our economic recovery and...

Further Education and Training: Motion [Private Members] (16 Jan 2013)

Finian McGrath: I call on them to act and stop the cuts that will affect many people who live on the north side of Dublin.