Results 1,261-1,280 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: It could be a drag rather than a limp by the time Christmas comes around.

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: People's frustration and anger manifested itself on Friday last. It was a fantastic day, not least for the Labour Party but also for its Leader, Deputy Gilmore. The Labour Party had three MEPs elected and won a record number of seats on local authorities throughout the country. Let us not forget the reason people voted against the Government. People are literally on the edge and jobs are...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: Like my colleague, Senator Alex White, I would like to raise the issue of local government. As we all will be aware, a number of people were elected first citizens of their respective cities and towns last night. It is a very important point in the careers of those involved and it is a huge honour to become first citizen of one's area. We congratulate all those who have been elevated to...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate between the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and the House on the reform of local government.

Seanad: European Parliament Irish Constituency Members) Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, and the debate on the Bill. As Senator Cannon quite rightly said, in the spirit of transparency and accountability it is good that the House is putting on the record the very important matter put before us in this legislative proposal giving effect to European decisions made in December 2005. I did not get a chance on the Order of Business to...

Seanad: Social Welfare Offices (16 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady, to the House and I congratulate her on her appointment. I was one of the first people to meet her on the day of her appointment and I wish her well in her Ministry. I know her brother, Deputy Tom Kitt, quite well. I have raised the issue of the local social welfare office on a number of occasions in this House. To put it in its...

Seanad: Social Welfare Offices (16 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister of State for her response, but I wish to point out a number of issues with her reply. While her earlier comments were correct, the terminology used, "were transferred", "were not interrupted" and "was approximately", was past tense. Given that this issue will be two years old next month, the 2007 figure of 350 will probably have doubled by now. According to the Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I want to raise the same issues that have been raised by Senator Bacik and others, beginning with Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. It is indefensible that the Government can deprive a hospital as important as Crumlin of necessary funding. Families with sick children are distressed enough and are going through a horrible time as it is. There is no justifiable defence for cutting...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (23 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady, to the House again. She was in the House for the Adjournment debate last week and it was the same order, with Senator Corrigan speaking before I did. It seems like déjÀ vu. This motion concerns the sewage treatment scheme for Courtmacsherry and Timoleague, two picturesque villages in south-west County Cork, beautifully located between...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (23 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: This area depends on tourism. This is a very important infrastructural project for the area. A group of people from the area travelled to Dublin and met the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, prior to the local elections. I know the Minister has holidayed in the area and is very aware of the location. He has done the walk from Timoleague to...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (23 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister of State for her reply and her attention to the matter. I hope we can look forward to this project getting off the ground later in the year. Regarding the last sentence, we should delete "should it be approved" and insert "when it will be approved". I hope that will be the case. It is important the Leas-Chathaoirleach would make that visit before the summer is out.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Fitzgerald. We called for debates on various aspects of the economy such as pensions, mortgages and unemployment. Given the current economic climate, there is a list of debates we could demand. However, on every occasion we asked for such a debate, we did not see the Minister for Finance in the House. He must come into...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Dairy Industry: Motion (24 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: Put as much pressure on him as possible.

Seanad: Dairy Industry: Motion (24 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to share time with Senator Rónán Mullen.

Seanad: Dairy Industry: Motion (24 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome this debate and I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, to the House. We are all well aware of this matter and the crisis in the dairy sector has rightly commanded headlines not just in the national media but in the international media in recent days, not least because of the protest in Luxembourg last week. In listening to the protestors and members of our own delegation...

Seanad: Dairy Industry: Motion (24 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: It is the least we would expect from banks in the current climate. We should not forget that farmers are also subject to income levies. I raised the matter of fuel costs on the Order of Business today. The average price for a litre of petrol is now €1.20 and for diesel it is approximately €1.08 or €1.09. There was a significant jump in the averages in May, and the tax and duty take...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2009)

Michael McCarthy: It is now 12.45 a.m. I pay tribute to the members of staff who have to be here to allow us to debate this very important Bill. There are people who should have gone home long ago and, for a variety of reasons, are still here and are allowing us to debate this Bill. I agree with much of what Senator Hanafin said. His chronological account of the elections of the early 1980s is quite...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister and his officials to the House. The Bill was debated at length here. This is an exercise in democracy and highlights the importance of the Seanad as one of the Houses of the Oireachtas. We are here to amend legislation, to agree and disagree. We have no difficulty with the amendments as the Minister explains them. They are quite technical and we will not oppose them.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I add my voice to those on this side of the House who expressed anger and disappointment at the decision of the Government to axe REPS 4. This is on top of the Government axing installation aid and the early retirement scheme. As I have pointed out on debates on agriculture in this House, axing those schemes cost one family in my area €20,000. The family has been bereaved. We recognise...