Results 20,721-20,740 of 20,934 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Civil Partnership Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I honestly believe, and it is also the view of experts in legal circles, that the proposed legislation relating to property rights is too simplistic, particularly in terms of protecting cohabitants. The legislation is being rushed through and it is a very complicated area to get right. By rushing it through we could end up with lame duck legislation. The provisions on financial dependency...

Civil Partnership Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Thankfully.

Civil Partnership Bill 2010: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I hope so.

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Jun 2010)

Mattie McGrath: As a member of the Government party I should have my hands around my two Green Party colleagues here but, unfortunately, this is not the case. I am not happy either. The Minister knows this and so does his colleague, the former Minister of State, Deputy Sargent. I have had many debates with my colleague in government and I hope to have some more during the passage of upcoming Bills but in...

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Jun 2010)

Mattie McGrath: We will not go deer-stalking. I am not easy about being part of this Bill and I have serious concerns about upcoming legislation, as the Minister is aware. I rest my case. I thank my colleagues for not heckling.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed). (16 Jun 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I wish to share time with Deputy Conlon.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed). (16 Jun 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I want to be associated with the comments the previous speaker made about our new Minister for Social Protection as I know he is a very compassionate, understanding and decisive man. He is a man of great courage and responsibility. I compliment him on two issues in which he has made a real difference since getting his new portfolio. For a long time the farmers' spouses were in a very...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed). (16 Jun 2010)

Mattie McGrath: The Fine Gael Members have been trying to find their way for a few days and I wish them well with that.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed). (16 Jun 2010)

Mattie McGrath: The Deputy is trying to distract me. He came in for peace from the canvass but he has started to turn on me. The organisation's vision for the development of Muintir na Tíre is that while retaining its position in the heart of community development throughout Ireland it will develop its services to become even more relevant to the needs of communities. Muintir na Tíre will support...

Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 May 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I too am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. Begging is a sensitive issue, especially in the hard times we face at present. It is important to balance the need for law and order with an appropriate response to a human and societal problem. The Bill achieves this balance, in that it does not criminalise begging itself but leaves only aggressive begging as a crime. It...

Diversification of Primary School Provision: Statements (20 May 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I wish to share time with Deputy Paul Connaughton.

Diversification of Primary School Provision: Statements (20 May 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am pleased to be able to make a brief contribution to today's debate. As a parent, like other speakers, I know that what most parents and families want is a proper grounding and education for children who attend all kinds of national schools. The VECs have a proven track record over the past 80 years in meeting the responsibilities and needs of colleges. A model has been set out that can...

Diversification of Primary School Provision: Statements (20 May 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I appreciate that but I acknowledge that these people have given their time for this cause. Admissions were allowed from all walks of life, and the policies were inclusive, clear and unambiguous. It allowed access from all the local communities, without being selective. That model should be drawn upon and introduced to new areas. I pay tribute to what the VECs have done over the years at...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 May 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Question 217: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when broadband is expected to be rolled out in areas (details supplied) of South Tipperary and West Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20895/10]

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Second Stage (18 May 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I welcome the Bill and thank the Minister and his officials for all the work they have done on the Bill and on the entire financial situation that pertains in our country and throughout the eurozone at this point in time. Ireland along with all the other eurozone countries has agreed to assist Greece through the issue of loans, which Greece must repay within a fixed time period. We are not...

Litter Pollution. (28 Apr 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss the legislative framework for combatting litter pollution and the need to motivate and energise the anti-litter response. I hope I will be one quarter as successful as previous speakers and that Deputy Reilly will return to Balbriggan a satisfied man. We all aspire to a glas agus glan Ireland. I am a proud representative of Tipperary South and...

Strategic Investment Bank: Motion. (27 Apr 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Our banking strategy is working. Yesterday's announcement that Bank of Ireland would be able to meet its capital requirements through private investment shows the market has confidence in our strategy. The State will receive a significant return from the transaction with a higher rate of interest on its preference shares which will come to €180 million per annum. The State will also...

Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Apr 2010)

Mattie McGrath: During her years in politics, she has been enthusiastic about many issues in her constituency and region. We have worked together on some community projects, including Ring a Link, and I have always found her to be hard working, energetic, enthusiastic and co-operative. I look forward to co-operating today in spite of the myths driven by the media or whoever concerning Fianna Fáil and the...

Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (22 Apr 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to speak to this Bill. I warmly congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy White, on her appointment.

Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Apr 2010)

Mattie McGrath: This Bill is of major importance to the House and I welcome its publication. The Central Bank Reform Bill is the last step in a series of measures the Government has introduced to stabilise the economy and rescue the banking system from the brink of collapse. The Bill, which is complex in nature, will be introduced in three parts. It proposes to maintain the stability of our financial...