Results 1,121-1,140 of 7,789 for speaker:Michael Fitzmaurice

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electronic Communications Markets: Commission for Communications Regulation (27 Jan 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: We need to be clear on this, because people read this stuff and tear their hair out when they see that their broadband connections might get worse. We need accuracy in all of the frilly documents issued rather than something that makes someone look good. We need reality and to know what is happening on the ground. If something is not accurate, it should be pointed out and people should be...

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: In the 1970s, far-sighted senior engineers in Roscommon, including the county manager at the time, saw a niche in the market in Monksland near Athlone. They sought funding from central Government at the time but were refused. With whatever money they had, they developed an area in which multinationals or local businesses are located. Some 1,000 jobs have been created in that area. A...

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: For the people who live in those areas, it is clear. It has been said openly that if this happens, the rates would go to Westmeath. When the British were in Ireland, one small chunk of the west of Ireland was put into Westmeath. There is poverty in that area because of the way Westmeath looked after it. I am worried because of the political connections of chief executive officers in some...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (2 Feb 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 500. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the commencement date for construction of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; given that the tender process is complete and all legal issues with the site are now sorted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4593/16]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Eligibility (3 Feb 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 43. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if tier 3 farmers will be allowed into the second tranche of the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4495/16]

Nomination of Taoiseach (10 Mar 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle on his appointment. I do not envy his job, given some of the bickering I have heard today. I have not been in the Dáil long. I hope that, across the divide, we will give everyone an opportunity to speak and not butt in and criticise what they have to say. Every Member of this Dáil is elected by people who went to a ballot box and put their...

Agriculture and Fisheries Council Meeting: Statements (22 Mar 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I wish the Ceann Comhairle the best of luck in his new role. I wish everyone in the House well in the coming week. I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on this issue. As the Minister knows and as Europe knows, many sectors of the agriculture industry are in trouble at the moment. We are well aware that the dairy sector was put out as the new Santy that was coming right across...

Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed) (6 Apr 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: After what?

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Data (6 Apr 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 653. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide further information on the statement of the chief executive of Bus Éireann last year that Bus Éireann made €4 million profit from school transport and that this money was given to Bus Éireann to buy new school transport buses but spent on school transport information and technology development; the amount of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Data (6 Apr 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 654. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of the maintenance of buses used for school transport by Bus Éireann in tabular form; the average cost of the maintenance of buses per bus, per year; the number of buses being charged for maintenance; the average number of buses actually being operated on actual routes each day; the average percentage of buses being...

Housing Issues: Statements (14 Apr 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I start by thanking the people of Roscommon and south Leitrim for re-electing me. We hope to do our best. Modular homes costing €240,000 is ridiculous when we can build houses with bricks and mortar for €85 per square foot where the site is supplied. We cannot keep going down that road because it is an astronomical amount of money. We should go back to the basics. Now and...

Insurance Costs: Statements (20 Apr 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this issue. Everybody I talk to, whether they have a motorbike or a lorry, be it a farmer or an SME owner, tells me that, in all walks of life, the hikes in insurance are unbelievable at the moment. Today I spoke to a person employing 14 people in a business that has 11 trucks. Its insurance last year was €80,000 but the bill it has...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (20 Apr 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 409. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why it is difficult for persons (details supplied) under 23 years of age to apply independently for a third level grant in their own right. [7346/16]

Irish Water: Statements (27 Apr 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: We have come a fair distance from a time when we brought our can to the well to bring water to our houses years ago. All around the country, people, particularly those in rural group water schemes, got together and worked to install water infrastructure in their areas. When Irish Water was set up, I felt like tearing my hair out. In the first few weeks and months of Irish Water, I found...

Agriculture: Statements (4 May 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Agriculture is of major importance to the country. We have to continue to export cattle. In 2015, 65,000 fewer cattle were exported on the hoof than in 2010. If we keep allowing that to happen, prices will decrease. The Turkish market is about to open, which is a good thing, but we have to keep our finger on the pulse. We need a group of people to concentrate on finding foreign markets...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Farm Assist Scheme Data (4 May 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 5. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of farm assist, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8808/16]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Rural Transport Programme (24 May 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 95. To ask the Minister for Finance for the purpose of promoting rural public transport, to introduce tax incentives and legislate for the provision of a 100% capital tax allowance for the purchase of new buses; to remove road tax and vehicle registration tax on buses and value added tax on tyres for buses; and to introduce income tax incentives for the purchase of commuter bus passes. [11521/16]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rate Application (24 May 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 111. To ask the Minister for Finance to change the value added tax status on bus transport operators to a zero rate rather than an exempt status to enable them to reclaim value added tax payments, as part of a programme to incentivise the use of public transport. [11524/16]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (24 May 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 478. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to change the services provided at St. Joseph's day care centre, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if the services provided there will continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11628/16]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Reports (24 May 2016)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 546. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that the agricultural appeals office report of 30 April 2014 on the Keelderry commonage in County Galway appears to contain wording, context and inaccuracies identical to another report prepared by another person (details supplied) dated 2 November 2013 and based on an inspection on 31 October 2013; if the inspection...