Results 20,461-20,480 of 20,803 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Workers' Remuneration: Motion (21 Jun 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to speak to this Private Members' motion. I want to introduce a reasoned debate on the issue. As an employer, I understand something of the issues involved, as well as dealing with my constituents. I agree with most of what my colleagues have said but the Minister, Deputy Bruton's intervention is timely. We must be reasonable because we are in a deep and serious recession...

Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (15 Jun 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I am speaking on behalf of the Technical Group and the Independents. Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a ghabháil le muintir Lenihan, a bhean chéile Patricia, a pháistí Tom agus Clare, agus the Lenihan family go léir. The huge turnout of Brian Lenihan's constituents since last Friday was a true testament to the man who served them for so long. Brian was a man of immense talent and had a...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (8 Jun 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 187: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of the diabetes paediatric services available to children living in south Tipperary and west Waterford and also in the broader Health Service Executive area; if he will consider further developing local services in south Tipperary and west Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14582/11]

Spent Convictions Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Jun 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill and I compliment Deputy Calleary on bringing it forward. I was delighted to hear the Minister promise he will bring in his own Bill which will go further in some areas while being restrictive in other areas. As Deputy Jonathan O'Brien said, we should consider the community service legislation which was recently discussed in the House, in...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Jun 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I intend to share my time with Deputies Richard Boyd-Barrett, John Halligan, Finian McGrath and Healy.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Jun 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I, too, am delighted to be able to speak here this evening on Second Stage of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill. Like many others, I am obviously disappointed that the Bill is being guillotined. As mentioned today, it is being rushed through under the auspices of or the time lines laid down by the EU-IMF agreement. However, that is becoming a catchphrase for many issues and I am...

Dáil Reform: Statements (2 Jun 2011)

Mattie McGrath: In the previous general election the public voted in large numbers for both Labour and Fine Gael who are now the Government parties. They have promised us real reform. I look forward to engaging with the process also with my colleagues in the Technical Group and all Opposition parties. Not much zeal is evident for reform at present. It is difficult to get meaningful answers in the House or...

Dáil Reform: Statements (2 Jun 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I accept that. The party in Government, of which I was a part, set it up, before I was a Member. However, Fine Gael promised the system would be changed, but we have just changed seats here. Fine Gael has moved across the House and is carrying on the same old policy, with some cosmetic changes. It stood down the board of the HSE, but that is all. We could see that the other night when...

Government and Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I too am pleased to speak to the Technical Group's motion. I thank my colleagues in the group for researching the issue and coming up with the formula used in the motion. Real reform is necessary in the House. I offer my congratulations to my neighbour, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan. I wish him well. I hope to meet him in September in...

Government and Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (1 Jun 2011)

Mattie McGrath: We will have another battle like last year. We need more than tokenism. The debate follows on from the Second Stage of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill. We saw from that the tokenism that is involved in some of the ways it was introduced. The huge ideological difference between Fine Gael and Labour will be a problem for the Government. We wish the parties well. The public...

Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Jun 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I am also delighted to have the opportunity to speak on the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011. This will see the Department of Finance effectively divided into a Department for spending and a Department for cutting. Everybody seems to be in favour of reform as it is the flavour of the month and the new buzz word. The problem is there is little agreement on what the reform...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to have the opportunity to express my opinion on this very important Bill. I know how serious Deputy Neville has been about many issues during the last Dáil and all through his public life, and I am interested to hear his views in this regard also. The people have now had a chance to absorb fully the ramifications of the recent jobs initiative proposed by the Government,...

Agricultural Price Levels (25 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Minister for his reply. Like most Deputies, I am concerned by the outrageous act of the Competition Authority last week when it did a dawn raid on the Irish Farm Centre with 15 officers and a search warrant, just because of one person's complaint. It was totally high-handed and that is the problem. There is too much regulation and I am glad the Minister will meet his colleague,...

Agricultural Price Levels (25 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I accept that.

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32. (25 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I seek the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the negative impact of NAMA on the daily working of viable businesses seeking to trade out of their financial difficulties. Most officials in NAMA have no understanding of business and it is unfair to those business people trying to survive in this difficult climate.

Agriculture: Motion (24 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the motion. As previous speakers indicated, the importance of agriculture to this country and its economy cannot be overstated. In previous recessions and downturns we turned to agriculture in order to get ourselves out of the morass. With the provision of the right supports and the removal of unnecessary regulation, we can prosper...

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (24 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 143: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the value for money report undertaken by him and particularly inquiries relating to school transport provision. [12646/11]

Written Answers — National Reserve Applications: National Reserve Applications (24 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 327: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a decision will issue on an application under the national reserve 2011, category B, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12621/11]

Written Answers — National Reserve Applications: National Reserve Applications (24 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 328: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a decision will be made on an application under the national reserve 2011, category B, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12622/11]

Army Barracks (24 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 42: To ask the Minister for Defence the plans he has to ensure the ongoing sustainability and development of Kickham Barracks, Clonmel, County Tipperary. [12133/11]