Results 20,381-20,400 of 20,768 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Instruction to Committee (14 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: On behalf of the Technical Group, I broadly support the motion. Like the previous speaker, I congratulate the Government on appointing the first ever full Minister to Cabinet for this important portfolio. I was delighted to table a parliamentary question and have it answered ar an chéad lá a bhí an Aire anseo for Question Time on Tuesday. We cannot shoot the messenger and we cannot...

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I support my colleague. As a Member of the previous Oireachtas I remember the situation and the frustration we all shared, not least the then Minister of State, Barry Andrews. I hope we cover all aspects of the issue. We wish the Minister well and fully support her but I do not wish the situation to arise - we can never say never - where the Minister for Health or the Minister for Children...

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I commend Deputy Ó Caoláin for tabling this amendment. I followed the last Report Stage debate on 18 January. We do not want to go into what was said then by Deputies Jan O'Sullivan and Charles Flanagan. At the time, I understood the then Minister of State, Barry Andrews, had his hands tied on this matter and was frustrated by the situation. Many of the Opposition Deputies at the time...

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I understand how difficult it is for the Minister to deal with this matter, particularly as hers is a new portfolio. As stated earlier, I completely accept her bona fides. Like Deputy Ó Caoláin, I am of the view that the word "detention" brings to mind the wrong connotations. As the Deputy stated, the majority of people outside the House would regard detention as being similar to...

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister is referring to buachaillí dána.

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (13 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to this debate. The purpose of military law is the maintenance of good order and discipline within the Defence Forces. Matters arising in a military force should be investigated swiftly and be seen to uphold military law in a fair and transparent manner. The principal role of the Defence Forces is to defend national security. In carrying...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (12 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 194: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in south Tipperary that have temporary accommodation and are awaiting permanent accommodation and the breakdown of same, that is, secondary/primary schools; the length of time that each one has had temporary accommodation; when it is expected to have permanent accommodation provided; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (12 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 339: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to the delay in processing this application; the reason more recent applications have been finalised prior to this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2001 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to speak on the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011. I support many of its provision, especially Part 3, which deals with the deeds of good samaritans. It is very important to distinguish between the actions of the good samaritans and facilitate those acts of kindness and bravery. It can be a grey area. The provisions of the Bill in this Part are good and...

Special Educational Needs: Motion (12 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I too compliment the Technical Group on the work it has put into researching this motion and putting it before the House. I also compliment it and all our colleagues on their work in meeting the families of children with special educational needs. I hope the Government will pay heed to what is being said this evening. Only a very short time ago Deputy Brian Hayes, who is now a Minister of...

Special Educational Needs: Motion (12 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: The Government knew that last February.

Special Educational Needs: Motion (12 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: It is not history, it is recent.

Special Educational Needs: Motion (12 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: That the Government is now making.

Special Educational Needs: Motion (12 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Confusion and blame is all the Government talks about.

Special Educational Needs: Motion (12 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I do not accept that.

Early Childhood Education (12 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 23: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for the future of the early childhood care and education scheme. [19977/11]

Early Childhood Education (12 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I congratulate the Minister on her appointment and wish her well with her important portfolio. I thank her for her response and am pleased to note she is committed to what is and has been a very good scheme. The uptake of the scheme tells its own story. I am pleased that helpful training courses are being provided for staff.

Early Childhood Education (12 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister is committed to continuing with the scheme and, hopefully, it will be expanded over the years.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (6 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 162: To ask the Minister for Health when the required surgery will take place at Waterford Regional Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [19113/11]

Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to be able to contribute. I do not come from a marine county, although I am not too far away from one. I will support the Bill, like most members of the Technical Group. I welcome the appointment of Deputy Coveney as Minister in this area. I compliment his late father on the positive actions he took in the past in this area. I know it is an area that is close to his heart....