Results 20,501-20,520 of 20,803 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

European Council: Statements (13 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: All my adult life I have been a keen supporter of the EEC, now the EU, and the various different treaties. We have had strong, good leaders in Europe over the years who seemed interested in fair play for all member states even though the number of member states at such times might have been fewer. There were some good deals out there - under CAP, the European Cohesion Fund, and so on. That...

European Council: Statements (13 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I compliment the Minister on launching his diplomatic initiative. Perhaps if he is at liberty to do so, he will outline initial reactions to it.

European Council: Statements (13 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I asked if the Minister had received a response to his diplomatic initiatives.

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (12 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 223: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when the half rate PRSI is coming into force for the retail sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7580/11]

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (12 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 244: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to have broadband delivered to a location (details supplied) in County Tipperary, an area which is not currently covered by the national broadband scheme and where Eircom has no plans to upgrade the local exchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7336/11]

Education and Training: Motion (12 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I was pleased to hear the Minister and the Minister of State say earlier that they will try to maintain funding to the education sector to the best of their ability. We have made great progress in the past decade in many aspects of education, including the secondary school DEIS programme, special needs assistants at all levels, second chance education and the area of crèches and the...

Education and Training: Motion (12 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I appreciate that. I heard you had a big one, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I welcome the Bill, which seeks to increase the use of community service orders in place of short-term custodial sentences, a move that has long been advocated by the Irish Penal Reform Trust. I was pleased the legislation was included in the programme for Government agreed between the two coalition parties. I also compliment the previous Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot...

Bank Bailout and EU-IMF Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. The deals done with the banks, EU and IMF are every day undermining our chances of economic recovery. It appears that Ireland's EU partners intend to stand back and watch Ireland get pulled into an unsustainable debt while bondholders, especially senior bondholders, are protected. The inevitable consequence will see...

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (6 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: The Government is planning to shrink the banking system from six homegrown lenders to two pillar banks. The Government received a strong mandate to introduce badly needed changes to our failed banking system. I hope and pray the Government's new policies will mark the beginning of a turnaround. Like other Deputies who have spoken, I am disappointed by the current Tweedledum and Tweedledee...

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (6 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: We were not.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Mar 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 112: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a REP scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6128/11]

Universal Service Charge: Motion (Resumed) (30 Mar 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I concur with previous speakers that the universal social charge is a tax. It was presented as a way of simplifying the tax system by consolidating health income levies. We had no problem with it when it was first announced because there is nothing wrong with the concept of a universal social charge in itself. The problem, however, is that the rates at which it is charged affect low and...

Moriarty Tribunal Report: Statements (Resumed) (30 Mar 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this important issue. After 14 years we are no closer to a just conclusion to the allegations of corruption in the allocation of the second mobile telephone licence to Denis O'Brien's Esat Digifone in 1995. It might have been thought that after 14 years, costs of over €40 million and a 2,000 page report the matter would finally be clarified...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (29 Mar 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 131: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5966/11]

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (24 Mar 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 57: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the criteria for the warmer homes scheme (details supplied) has changed recently and is affecting the completion of work that has already started; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5595/11]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (22 Mar 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 133: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans regarding reducing the length of time it takes to have an appeal heard at an oral hearing by the social welfare appeals office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4947/11]

Schools Amalgamation (22 Mar 2011)

Mattie McGrath: As an elected representative for south Tipperary and west Waterford and a strong advocate for the protection of rural Ireland, I have major concerns with regard to any proposal dressed up as a value for money review that will further close small rural schools. Small primary schools are at the centre of life in rural communities and it would be detrimental if these schools were to be...

Programme for Government: Motion (15 Mar 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I support the motion. It is an amalgamated programme between Fine Gael and Labour, which together got 56% of the vote. I understand there must be give and take in any coalition, but the national well-being and the very future of Ireland is at stake here. We need to transform radically the system of governance. This is why I voted for the Taoiseach last week and, indeed, for the Cabinet...

Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Jan 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I compliment Deputy Edward O'Keeffe, who is from a neighbouring constituency, and all Members who are taking the opportunity to retire. I thank them for their public service. The legislation being discussed is most important. I believe from the bottom of my heart that it is being rushed through the Houses with indecent haste. I have sat through so many debates in recent months and years in...