Results 1,501-1,520 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Electricity Prices: Motion (6 Oct 2010)

Michael McCarthy: We do not do regulation here.

Seanad: Electricity Prices: Motion (6 Oct 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, and thank him that common sense prevailed with the timely dredging of the Bandon river recently. It was much appreciated in the area.

Seanad: Electricity Prices: Motion (6 Oct 2010)

Michael McCarthy: We are living in uncertain economic times in which people, particularly those on middle and low incomes, have seen their take-home pay reduced. We are about to face the harshest budget ever to be delivered in the history of State. We are aware of what brought us to the brink of economic collapse but people are still struggling. The banks have received much support from the Government but...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Oct 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I shall make just one brief point. I appeal to the Leader to invite a Minister or a Minister of State to the House in order that we may impress upon him or her the imperative that we do not attack those on social welfare in the forthcoming budget. This would not be acceptable, given that the long-term unemployed and pensioners have already seen a 5% reduction in their rates following the...

Seanad: Food Harvest 2020 Report: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Michael McCarthy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Food Harvest 2020 Report: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Connick, for this debate on the important report, Food Harvest 2020. Unless action backed by serious political conviction is taken on its recommendations, it will remain on the shelf like all those reports on Seanad reform. The single largest scourge in our society during these difficult economic times is unemployment. We have debated the issue at...

Seanad: Food Harvest 2020 Report: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Michael McCarthy: Other issues arise with regard to environmental sustainability. The green image will give us an advantage in marketing and it will help us to trade internationally. The issue of climate change is relevant. There should be co-operation with other authorities, such as universities and other third level institutions, which provide training and knowledge for people such that they can train...

Seanad: Food Harvest 2020 Report: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Michael McCarthy: If we immerse ourselves in cutting and reducing public sector spending and a banking policy, we ignore the elephant in the room, that is, the issue of unemployment. The article in question is geographically slanted towards west Cork which, it claims, is a black spot for jobs services. I encourage everyone to read it because it informs us that at present the spread of resources available for...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2010)

Michael McCarthy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2010)

Michael McCarthy: As we face a budget, none of us is in any doubt about how difficult it will be. One thing also not in question is that the categories of people who will suffer most will be students, pensioners and the unemployed. I am not an economist but we all know that by abolishing the Christmas bonus last year, the Minister contributed to a reduction in domestic demand which is killing the lifeblood...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2010)

Michael McCarthy: As the recession deepens and we find ourselves in greater economic difficulty, there is a growing sense of populist belief that we should have business people running the country. The chief executive of one of the major Irish airlines is constantly talking about the terms and conditions of working people, including the minimum wage. If that is the vista facing us in terms of the management...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2010)

Michael McCarthy: People who have the right to dictate are those elected to public office. At the end of the day they are sovereign, not business people who are using the economic recession to drive down terms and conditions. I agree with Senator Bradford's point. Reform of the sugar beet industry was debated at length in this House in 2005 to 2006 period. The then Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and...

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (17 Nov 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I was elected to this House in 2002 on the same day as Kieran. Shortly after that election I had the pleasure of sharing his company on the train to Dublin and from that day up to that very sad day in May of this year, we got on like a house on fire. Without going over everything that was said, Kieran was a true gentleman. It was always a pleasure to meet him. In the cut and thrust of...

Seanad: Prohibition of Depleted Uranium Weapons Bill 2009: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I remind the Senator that some of his colleagues are waiting to raise certain matters on the Adjournment. I ask him to keep his comments as brief as possible.

Seanad: Prohibition of Depleted Uranium Weapons Bill 2009: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2010)

Michael McCarthy: The Senator should be brief.

Seanad: Prohibition of Depleted Uranium Weapons Bill 2009: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2010)

Michael McCarthy: It is now almost finished. The Bill is about to be passed.

Seanad: Prohibition of Depleted Uranium Weapons Bill 2009: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2010)

Michael McCarthy: Senator Bradford is waiting to speak on the Adjournment.

Seanad: Prohibition of Depleted Uranium Weapons Bill 2009: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Senator for being brief.

Seanad: Prohibition of Depleted Uranium Weapons Bill 2009: Committee Stage (17 Nov 2010)

Michael McCarthy: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Sugar Market Reform (17 Nov 2010)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe.