Results 20,501-20,520 of 23,611 for speaker:Michael Healy-Rae

Further Education and Training Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: I would not do that myself. Deputy Harris has drawn this on himself. If he wants me to go down the road of talking about his Government's appointments to State boards-----

Further Education and Training Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: They are a sham. If Deputy Harris tries to defend that, he will have gone down in my estimation big time in the last couple of minutes.

Further Education and Training Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: If he tries to stand over that, he is standing over the indefensible. I wish SOLAS well and hope that in the years ahead the people who require skills improvement and training will get it and that it will be successful.

Further Education and Training Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: I thank the Technical Group for allocating some of its speaking time to me. I acknowledge the presence of the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon. We were very glad when he visited County Kerry a number of months ago to attend the launch of an informative and comprehensive booklet outlining the various courses and further educational opportunities that are available for people who find...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: I would have no problem supporting this amendment because I would not like to see what is happening in this instance happen at all. There is no sense in gerrymandering with regard to constituencies that have helped each other and worked very well over many decades.

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: Nobody is taking rural areas and the difference between the work of Deputies based in cities and areas with large populations and those in more rural areas into consideration when making changes to constituencies. Many Deputies representing the greater Dublin area can walk the length and breadth of their constituencies in a couple of minutes. Compare that to the work a rural Deputy must do...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: I am quite happy to face into north Kerry any day of the week and to represent the people to the best of my ability and thanks be to God, the Minister will not have any say in that.

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: The Minister will be in a different place at that stage.

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: He will have a nice little role by the time it comes to that. I support Deputy Ó Cuív's amendment. I appreciate the thrust of it and I know it has been tabled in a genuine and heartfelt way on behalf of his constituents which is why I support it.

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: I wish the Minister well in his endeavours on this very important subject. As a retailer who has been selling cigarettes for over 20 years, I have seen and studied people's habits when it comes to cigarette smoking. As the Minister himself said, it is terribly important to do everything we possibly can to stop the younger generation from starting smoking. I have every sympathy, as I know...

Order of Business (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: An all-day sitting for the media.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staffing (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10866/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grants Funding (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when Kerry County Council will be notified of their block grant to the housing section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10865/13]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (28 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10796/13]

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: It is the Minister's phone. It is not mine.

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: I support Deputy Cowen in respect of what he said on this matter. Let us consider the position of unprofitable group water schemes. Only two people are required in order for a group water scheme to be established. In such circumstances, a person could be a member of a group water scheme which would not be remotely financially attractive in the context of a takeover. Unless a mechanism is...

Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Services Bill 2013: Committee Stage (27 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: On a point of clarification, the Minister of State indicated that the legislation does not contain any provisions which would allow Irish Water to do anything detrimental to group water schemes. We are not concerned about that matter. We are referring to small, financially unattractive schemes which want to be taken in charge. Will the Minister of State put something in place which would...

Magdalen Laundries Report: Statements (Resumed) (27 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: I thank the Technical Group for allocating some of its time to me to speak on this very important subject. It is a serious matter and a dark period in the history of Ireland. I acknowledge the presence of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter. I thank former Senator Martin McAleese and the people who worked with him for their report and for the cost-effective way in...

Order of Business (27 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: Will a new Bill not have to be brought before the House?

Order of Business (27 Feb 2013)

Michael Healy-Rae: With regard to the proposals from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to change the existing television licence to a broadcasting charge, it is telling people, even if they do not have a television, that they will have to pay for Internet and broadband access. When will there be proper broadband coverage for everyone?