Results 1,321-1,340 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Michael McCarthy: At some stage in the new year, can we arrange a debate on the HSE? I have an ongoing issue in terms of the centralisation of the administration of the over 70s medical card, which is appalling. A constituent of mine in July of this year furnished details to the HSE in Finglas in order that his application for a medical card could be processed. We are now in December and it still has not...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I was just about to write a few notes on the Bill. I have been asked to speak on behalf of my colleague, Senator Alex White. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh. I wish to make a number of brief points on the Bill. First, I wish to discuss the education spend. We have heard much in recent times about the fact that X amount of money has not been spent by the Department of...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Michael McCarthy: Senator Boyle should consult the Labour Party website where he will find the appropriate answer.

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Michael McCarthy: That is my view also.

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Michael McCarthy: Surely it is out of order.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I begin by also congratulation Senator Paschal Mooney on his re-election to this House. I served with him in the previous Seanad and he was a very hard-working and sincere Senator. I wish him and his wife well. Our thoughts are not far away from the late Senator Peter Callanan whose untimely death gave rise to this vacancy. We think of him today and in the future as we wish Senator Mooney...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. ` (27 Jan 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 3: In page 4, line 22, to delete "(other than a broadcasting service)".

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. ` (27 Jan 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 8: In page 8, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following new subsection: "(11) The Commission may give a direction to a network operator that is necessary or expedient for the performance of the functions of the Commission, and the network operator shall comply with the direction.".

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. ` (27 Jan 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 9: In page 8, subsection (1)(a), line 28, after "section 6," to insert the following: "or the class or type of premium rate services which do not require to be so licensed".

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. ` (27 Jan 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 10: In page 8, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following new subsection: "(2) It shall be a condition of a licence under section 6 that--- (a) the premium rate service provider shall ensure that any service of an ongoing nature may be readily terminated by the user at any time, and in the case of a service provided by SMS, the user may terminate the service at any...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. ` (27 Jan 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister for his reply. The system by which people terminate such messages is not too effective, and there are particularly vulnerable categories of people. For example, a person who is not up to speed with mobile phone technology may inadvertently subscribe to some type of service. There are cases, of which I am sure the Minister is aware, in which one finds all of a sudden...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. ` (27 Jan 2010)

Michael McCarthy: No, I will resubmit it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. ` (27 Jan 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 12: In page 9, subsection (1), line 16, after "application" to insert "(which may in cases of urgency be made ex parte)".

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. ` (27 Jan 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 17: In page 11, subsection (1), line 2, after "licence" to insert "or who infringes the terms of a licence".

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. ` (27 Jan 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 19: In page 11, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following new subsection: "(2) Where a premium rate service provider contravenes subsection (1), the Commission shall establish a speedy mechanism to ensure redress for the consumer.". Protection of the consumer is at the heart of these amendments. Bearing in mind Senator Walsh's worthwhile contribution, it is...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 Jan 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 1: In page 8, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: "(2) It shall be a condition of a licence under section 6 that— (a) the premium rate service provider shall ensure that any service of an ongoing nature may be readily terminated by the user at any time, and in the case of a service provided by SMS, the user may terminate the service at any time by sending...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 Jan 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I will withdraw the amendment. I wish to refer to some aspects of the Minister's contribution. He said he cannot agree to the amendments in this legislative form. There is no other arena in which I will be successful in getting the amendment across. I recognise what the Minister has said. The spirit is there and it is about protecting the consumer. I acknowledge that he agrees with the...

Seanad: Water and Roads Infrastructure: Motion (3 Feb 2010)

Michael McCarthy: Senator Ó Brolcháin, without interruption.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Michael McCarthy: Permanent TSB has raised its interest rate by 0.5% and it is certain other lenders will follow in the coming days, weeks and months. The European Central Bank is meeting as we discuss the issue in the House. By lunchtime it is expected to report that it will permit the current ECB rate of 1% to remain unchanged. Given the culture of home ownership in this country and that the ESRI has...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Michael McCarthy: Nero fiddles while Rome burns.