Results 20,681-20,700 of 20,934 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I welcome the change in regard to ministerial cars and other such changes. We have to tackle the lard. We went after the minimum wage which I do not believe was right but we must tackle the waste, bring down the maximum wage and enforce the provision in that respect religiously.

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 (25 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter concerning self-employed persons when companies go into liquidation. I refer to what happened to Pierse Construction in recent days where more than 1,600 sub-contractors were left penniless and their employees do not know what will happen. Most of these people have families and there are sad stories behind them....

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I wish to share time with Deputy Niall Blaney. I am delighted to speak on the Bill this evening and I welcome the Minister for Social Protection, whom I compliment for his reforms and understanding attitude in the provisions of this Bill. He has also been understanding in interacting with backbenchers and the committee responsible for social welfare. We have had many engagements, some of...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (23 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Question 135: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of pubs that have had their licences renewed by the licensing office of the Revenue Commissioners, year-on-year since 2005. [43951/10]

Site Acquisitions (23 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I have raised this issue to seek clarification on the current position regarding the acquisition of a site to facilitate the amalgamation of the Cahir boys national school and Our Lady of Mercy national school in Cahir, County Tipperary. I wish to know whether the site can be acquired by the State from the Mercy Order under the redress scheme. These are two major schools in Cahir town which...

Straitéis 20 Bliain Don Ghaeilge: Ráitis (18 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Cuirim fáilte roimh an tuairisc seo agus tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo againn inniu. Tá ról na straitéise fíor-tabhachtach don teanga, d'ár féiniúlacht agus d'ár gcultúr. I welcome the strategy and it is timely that we have the debate. The Irish language is an important element of our heritage and culture. It is unique to our nation. Tá na moltaí ar...

Medical Cards (17 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this matter of huge importance. It is a problem in the HSE primary care reimbursement service system that is preventing medical card patients from accessing their care and medication. It must be rectified as a matter of urgency. I was shocked recently when a medical card holder informed me that she was charged by her doctor...

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on the proposal for a directly-elected mayor for Dublin. While one might ask what interest is it of mine, I am an elected representative from south County Tipperary and am interested both in the concept and its roll-out to other parts of the country. Under this Bill, the mayor will have a range of substantial powers to establish and deliver a...

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I have serious reservations about it. I hope Fine Gael will be able to deal with it when they take over.

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: The Mayor will also have a role in the annual budgetary process for the Dublin local authorities and a power to direct any of the four Dublin local authorities - directions which must be complied with. I love the word, "must" here. I hope it happens. In the normal course, the Mayor will work in partnership with the Dublin local authorities, and the need to issue a direction is unlikely. I...

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am querying this. I will not vote for it blindfolded. I have issues. I met the Minister and I will meet him again next week. We must have a changed system. I do not believe we are giving more powers to bureaucrats. If this Bill is worth the paper on which it is written it will vest powers in the Mayor and not in the manager.

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: A new regional development board will be chaired by the Mayor and will replace four city and county development boards. I welcome that. The new regional development board will bring together leaders in local government, commerce, education, enterprise and other key partners. Ratepayers should be included, as key stakeholders. The Mayor's mandate will give him or her the authority to hold...

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I do not know what the Corkman is saying. I missed that. A constituent of mine who lives in Cashel quite close to Deputy Tom Hayes got two e-voting machines despite of my failure to get my hands on a machine for him. He is a computer expert and has concluded that, with very few software changes, they could be adapted for any purpose in schools, community centres or resource centres. I am...

Reform of Structures of Government: Motion (Resumed) (10 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to be able to speak on the Private Members' motion. There are a wide range of topics which I could cover but I want to address whistleblowers legislation. I had a call to my office today from a very distressed person from my county who was concerned about an individual living in Dublin who lost his job yesterday which was his thanks for whistleblowing. I want to raise issues...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (9 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Question 192: To ask the Minister for Finance the provisions in place to pay salaries to developers involved in the National Asset Management Agency; the way the salaries will be decided and if they will be capped. [41252/10]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (9 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Question 239: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason it takes four days for the Health Service Executive primary care reimbursement service medical card system to be updated when a medical card review is rolled over by the local medical card office and if she will ask the HSE to have this matter resolved as soon as possible [41502/10]

Garda Stations (2 Nov 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am glad to be able to raise this matter which is very important for my constituency. It concerns the provision of a new site for a modern Garda station in Clonmel. At the outset, I wish to compliment all the Garda officers in Clonmel station under the command of Superintendent John Courtney. In this day and age, they need a proper facility to be able to carry out all the duties that are...

Macroeconomic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (28 Oct 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I will cut to the main point in that case. As many speakers have said, our sovereignty is at stake. I accept the need to reduce the deficit but I do not accept the need to reduce it by 3% of GDP by 2014. In my view, such cutbacks in the region of €15 billion are far too much for our economy. I believe we should start nearer home and that Members of the House should show leadership to...

Macroeconomic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (28 Oct 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I have not. I see wrong as wrong wherever it happens. We have to cut out the waste and get rid of the quangos instead of adding to them. We have to promote the different schemes. Muintir na Tíre in my constituency and nationally is promoting a positive change for rural communities to get people back to work. We have to cut out the baggage and let people work.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (20 Oct 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Question 110: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans regarding access to community employment schemes of persons in receipt of one-parent family allowance or disability allowance payment; the conditions that will apply both financially and regarding length of time available to partake on a community employment scheme for persons in receipt of the one-parent...