Results 20,641-20,660 of 20,934 for speaker:Mattie McGrath
- 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 â¬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...
- Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Jan 2011)
Mattie McGrath: The amount involved was not â¬85 billion. By my simple arithmetic, we will need to invest â¬17.5 billion of our National Pensions Reserve Fund, NPRF, in the bottomless pit that is the banks. It is a bad deal. It was negotiated by the mandarins and the Minister, not a business person. Had a business person advised them, for example, had Albert Reynolds back when he was a Deputy or...
- Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Jan 2011)
Mattie McGrath: I did not say I would.
- Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Jan 2011)
Mattie McGrath: And I am glad it did.
- Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Jan 2011)
Mattie McGrath: Deputy English can make up his own mind, but we will see what he does when he gets into government.
- Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Jan 2011)
Mattie McGrath: I was watching the clock and did not believe my time had concluded.
- Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Jan 2011)
Mattie McGrath: The eyes of the world are on us, yet we walked away from the Chamber at 8.30 p.m. last night. I expect we will be here until midnight tonight and I expect the House will give due diligence to this Finance Bill. The complaints I heard about the guillotine being imposed by the Government of which I was a part, ring hollow now. I respect the fact that the Opposition wants an election, we all...
- Finance Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Jan 2011)
Mattie McGrath: The Deputy might get better value in Dunnes Stores himself.
- Water and Sewerage Schemes (19 Jan 2011)
Mattie McGrath: The Fethard and Burncourt water schemes have been on the political agenda since 1979. In the case of Burncourt, substantial funding was approved in 1988 and funding has also been approved for the Fethard scheme. I represent the people of south Tipperary, who are sick, sore and tired of promises from me and other politicians that these schemes are at an advanced stage. Some years ago, the...
- Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (13 Jan 2011)
Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on Second Stage of the Bill. I welcome the Minister and I hope he is listening and will engage with all sides of the House before the Bill is rushed through or given a swift passage through the House. This legislation proposes to open the Irish postal market to free competition. This may be regarded as a wonderful thing but, unfortunately, we...