Results 19,041-19,060 of 20,830 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (18 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: I too stand to support this amendment. It beggars belief that the Bill promised we might put some kind of rein on these companies. One thing that is sure and certain is that they have not flown the green flag. I do not know what flag they are wearing but we have the most expensive fuels and everything else in Europe by a long shot. The Government here is so feeble in dealing with the...

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (18 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: This is a perfectly logical and reasonable amendment. It is pity it is being opposed because people want oversight. We have been talking about this windfall tax for long enough. I am reminded of what a windfall meant at this time of year when I was young. I would always pick apples after the storms had brought them down. I am sure many of them came down today. The Government does not...

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (18 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: It does not want to tackle big business in any shape, make or form. I am a small businessman, as is Deputy Danny Healy-Rae. We have to make a profit but people are being gouged and it has gone on for two years or more now. Ireland has the dearest prices in the EU for all forms of energy. Those are not my figures but those of reputable organisations. The Minister of State will not accept...

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (18 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: Does the Minister of State want a medal?

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (18 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: I support this amendment. People are confused. They welcome the reimbursement of three payments of €150 in the budget, as we all do, but the whole system is convoluted. We should be dealing with the price. The amendments tabled tonight are an effort to have more transparency and more accountability from these companies. The Minister of State reminded me earlier that the Government...

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (18 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: No. It is the system.

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (18 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: I was talking about the amendment.

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (18 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: I support the amendment. We have often been told since the carbon tax was introduced that it is being ring-fenced to do retrofitting of homes and everything else, yet people are waiting 24 months and have to have €50,000 to spend upfront to get approved and they might get €25,000 back. Live, horse, and you will get grass. Why would the Government transpose every other part of...

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (18 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: We might as well retire from this place altogether. With all these European rules we cannot make any legislation here anymore. We will not be allowed to make butter or break wind for a finish.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: What is happening in Ukraine?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: I, too, send my sympathy and support to the people and communities of west Waterford and east Cork following yesterday's devastating floods. I raise the issue of dedicated hospice care beds. We used to have three lovely hospice suites in St. Brigid's District Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir, but they were closed unceremoniously with the hospital. We were then promised four beds for the town...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: A recent European report found that three in every four people suffering with their mental health face huge issues in getting services in Ireland. The report also found that three quarters of the individuals grappling with mental health issues find it almost impossible to access services. These statistics are not just numbers; they are our people. Families and the young and old have mental...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: Adult education tutors are campaigning for a public service contract with a common sector-wide incremental salary scale. There are approximately 3,000 adult tutors who are public servants but who do not have public service contracts or access to an incremental salary scheme. This means that they have to sign on when they are off during the summer, at Christmas and at other times. They need...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Funding (24 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: 139. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason behind the removal of funding for the 'getting citizens online fund'; if it will be restored going forward to assist vulnerable and isolated members of the community in accessing services online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46605/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (24 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: 283. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an appeal under the Primary Staffing Appeals Board for the 2023-2024 school year; if she will consider this appeal given the exceptional accommodation difficulties being faced by the school and the disruption that will be caused if the school loses a teacher (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....

Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (25 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: I, too, compliment, ar an gcéad dul síos, an Teachta Connolly agus a grúpa for putting the motion forward. I know how passionately she feels about this topic, on which I listened to her speak many times here. I put it to an tAire Stáit that this motion is very important. Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, we have diminished, damaged and almost destroyed our...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: There is.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: I am glad the Taoiseach and Ministers were able to visit Midleton and other areas. This problem is going to keep going on. I totally sympathise with the business people for the devastation they faced. We have flood defences in Clonmel. I salute my former colleague, Martin Mansergh, who played a big role in obtaining these defences. They are 90% successful. We keep building flood...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (25 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: I am glad to be able to speak today in advance of the European Council meeting at such an important time in the world with what is going on in Gaza and in the Middle East in general. Like most right-thinking people, I was horrified to hear the comments of the European Commission President, Ms von der Leyen, at the outset of this. I listened to the Taoiseach on Leaders' Questions yesterday...

Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Oct 2023)

Mattie McGrath: I wish to support this amendment because language is very important in all legislation but "as far as practicable" was not good enough here because we know some of these big companies are very hard to engage with and they are intimidating, not deliberately, just by the fact of what they are. It is important for customers to be able to engage with them and get a timely response and a review...