Results 921-940 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: Will the Leader seek clarity from the Minister for Social and Family Affairs regarding a press release he issued in April 2006 relating to lone parents? At that stage he stated, he would "end the cohabitation rule by making it neutral in terms of influencing people's basic choices regarding their living arrangements". I contacted the Department last week on behalf of an individual who came...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is one of many debates we have had on housing in the past four years and each time we have debated the issue it has been more relevant and significant, with house prices becoming more expensive than on the previous occasion. Before the summer the Minister of State gave a commitment with regard to staged payments. This issue is largely...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I recommend that the Government build affordable houses for the thousands of people on our housing lists.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: We have a housing list in west Cork that increases weekly but nothing has been done about it.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: Before the summer, the Daft.ie survey priced a three-bed semi in the Clonakilty region at €350,000, the most expensive town in Ireland in which to buy a home. I could show the Minister of State hundreds of couples and families in the area who cannot afford to buy their home at these prices and they face a shortage of social and affordable housing. It seems nothing has changed since the...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (15 Nov 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to explain the reasoning behind my amendment although the Minister of State has moved the Government amendment. There was an indication that this would be dealt with at an earlier stage. I thank the Minister of State for taking the time to consult the Department and for coming back with this amendment. It is important that this information is available on the Internet. I thank the...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (15 Nov 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I was thinking of the broadcast of "The Week in Politics" on the night of the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis and how well the Minister of State looked alongside his two new colleagues in Cork North-West. I was overcome with emotion.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (15 Nov 2006)

Michael McCarthy: He was referred to as the cuckoo in Cork North-West the following day on RTE Radio 1. I thank the Minister of State and his officials for being forthright with the legislation and for accepting amendments that improved it. It will prove to be very effective.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Nov 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I was expecting the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, to reply on this matter. The Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, will understand that my remarks are directed towards the Minister, Deputy Hanafin.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Nov 2006)

Michael McCarthy: This issue has been causing huge concern in Clonakilty in recent times. Those concerned, the principal, teaching staff, parents and pupils who attend Clonakilty community college, are beyond frustration. The college was built in 1980 to accommodate 400 pupils. There are now almost 600 students enrolled there. There is a clear need for an extension to the school. Much professional advice...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Nov 2006)

Michael McCarthy: The most telling part of the reply is the statement that the project is under active consideration. It has been for many years but we need to know when it will happen. If that decision were announced, people would be happy. The project has been already approved and if there were no knowledge deficit, the situation would not be so frustrating. The project is urgent. I thank the Minister,...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McCarthy: Much has been said in recent times with regard to house prices and the ever-widening gap for young, hard-working people who cannot afford to buy their own homes. Much debate is centred around stamp duty, which was the issue floated recently by the Progressive Democrats. Today marks the fourth anniversary of the abolition of the first-time buyer's grant by the then Minister for the...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McCarthy: He was when he was Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McCarthy: No, the Leader should look at me.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McCarthy: It that a statement of intent?

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McCarthy: It is not scaremongering. That is exactly what she intends to do.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I join with other Senators in congratulating Deputy Seán Haughey, who has been appointed a Minister of State in what is a very timely appointment, based on merit. The only surprise is it did not come sooner and it is a pity he has only six months to make his contribution to the Department of Education and Science.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McCarthy: We wish him well as he is there on merit. People on all sides of the House would congratulate him. A debate would be appropriate and timely on the Minister for Health and Children's recent policy suggestion regarding elderly care. We have often stated in this House, when discussing mortgage companies offering equity release, that a person's home is a castle. As a country we were able to...

Seanad: Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the legislation. As it requires us to enact legislation co-operatively at short notice, we should not get any plaudits for it. One can be proud of the Irish film industry which has grown because a movie-making infrastructure is in place. Much money is available to pursue further development in this industry. "Ryan's Daughter" was important for County Kerry's tourism industry and...

Seanad: Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McCarthy: Make-up artists.