Results 20,621-20,640 of 20,934 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Arts for Young People (11 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Does the Minister intend to have a consultation or to publish a policy document in the next 12 months in this regard? It is very important. Some Members heard speakers today discussing depression. In addition, opportunities may arise in regard to the Minister's two schemes.

Arts for Young People (11 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I compliment the Minister and thank him for his interest in this topic. I look forward to engaging with him in the future.

EU-IMF Programme: Statements (Resumed) (5 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I am glad to get a chance to contribute to this debate. In the last Dáil, I voted against the so-called bailout because I believed then, and still believe, that it will only worsen this country's financial problems. That sad fact has been proven by every issue that has arisen since then concerning our inability to take action as a sovereign nation. The EU has failed to make foreign...

School Transport (3 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I apologise for not being available to speak earlier. The changes to the primary school transport scheme announced in the 2011 budget is having an effect on families and local school communities. This is a sensitive area and it is having a disconcerting impact on families, school communities, boards of management, parents councils and private bus operators. I do not know where the changes...

Residential Mortgage Debt: Motion (3 May 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to speak on this motion and I compliment Deputy Pringle on doing the legwork in getting it put forward. It is my own fault that my name was not signed to it because I did not get it in on time, but I fully support the motion none the less. I also compliment the Minister on his appointment and wish him well. The difference in attitude since he changed sides in the House is...

Commission of Inquiry into Banking Sector: Statements (20 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: This is another costly and expensive report that tells us little or nothing we did not already know. Mr. Nyberg has concluded that a national speculative property "mania" led to the Irish lending splurge. He has found that the banks engaged in lending to the point of self-destruction. He has failed to attach any blame to the various players. To the best of my knowledge, the players in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 90: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when REP scheme payment will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8048/11]

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (14 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I congratulate the Minister on his appointment and I look forward to engaging with him and the Department on many issues. We are told the plastic bag levy is an environmental waste measure in line with international best practice and that Ireland should be a role model. We should and could be a role model because we are a small country by any standard, and our waste issue should be dealt...

Suicide Prevention: Statements (Resumed) (14 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: I too am very concerned about suicide. It behoves all of us to make a real and sincere effort to get to the root of the problem. I compliment Deputy Neville for his arduous work over many years in this area. Suicide has touched many lives and is a tragedy for both the victims and survivors. It permeates through the wider family and into the community. Suicide is all too prevalent. Eight...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (13 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Question 119: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on stay-at-home parents who wish to return to work after 20 years being disqualified from going on the live register and subsequently being disqualified from back-to-work and education schemes; her further views on whether not allowing such persons to sign on the live register gives an incorrect reflection of the real...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Apr 2011)

Mattie McGrath: Tá áthas orm deis a bheith agam labhairt ar an Bhille seo. This legislation proposes to open the Irish postal market to free competition. This may be regarded as a wonderful thing but, unfortunately, we have discovered in recent times that it is not all it is made out to be. The result will be the undermining of the current funding model for the universal service obligation on An Post.

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...