Results 20,761-20,780 of 20,934 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (2 Feb 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Question 452: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and the reason for the delay. [4589/10]

Severe Weather Emergencies: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am very pleased to be able to speak to this motion. As others have done, I wish to praise the efforts of local county council outdoor staff, the Garda, the Civil Defence, fire brigades, families and communities. There was an emergency although it was not declared a national emergency but I have seen worse and I am not so old. There was a good deal of over-reaction. I take it on the chin...

Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I, too, am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to this Bill. I compliment the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, on their work with the Bill to date. The new Minister of State has been only a short time in the job, but he has read himself into the position well and is making an impact as he facilitates all sides of the debate. The Industrial Relations (Amendment)...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to add a few thoughts this evening to a very important Bill. The Bill makes a number of amendments to issues surrounding compliance with planning permission. As Deputy O'Connor indicated, many of us have been members of local councils and we understand issues surrounding planning, the granting process and the importance of adhering to conditions laid down. Section 20, for...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (19 Jan 2010)

Mattie McGrath: Question 922: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a fishing group (details supplied) in south Tipperary could be granted a licence to fish for at least one month in view of the increase in salmon stock on the River Suir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1314/10]

Banking Crisis: Motion (19 Jan 2010)

Mattie McGrath: I also support the amendment and I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this most topical issue, which is affecting every man, woman and child and which will affect future generations. We must get answers on the failures visited upon our people. There was a monumental failure on the part of our banking services and I must condemn our regulation services which...

Social and Affordable Housing. (16 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: I am thankful to the Acting Chairman for allowing me to raise this serious question in the House tonight and I am pleased that the Minister, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív will be replying. He had occasion to visit this housing estate with me a year ago, I believe, in Ballylynch, Carrick-on-Suir. It is a very old housing estate, more than 30 years in existence, with a large number of houses. The...

Relocation of VEC Centre. (15 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: Yes. I thank the Acting Chairman for the opportunity to raise this matter. I am pleased that my constituency colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Martin Mansergh, is taking this Adjournment matter. In May 2009, the OPW announced in a press release that the old labour exchange building, located in Dillon Street, Clonmel, was being...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (15 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: Question 298: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of staff processing social welfare payments in 2009; and the way this figure compares with the past five years. [46766/09]

Relocation of VEC Centre. (15 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: I hope the Acting Chairman will have more latitude towards the discourse between the Minister of State and myself. We are both constituency colleagues, so we can continue the discussion afterwards.

Third Level Education. (10 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: I appreciate the opportunity to raise a very important issue tonight that concerns the whole of County Tipperary, north and south. We were one constituency back in the 1940s but we are a very proud and united county despite having two county councils, local authorities and Dáil constituencies. We have a serious issue with the Tipperary Institute, although I acknowledge the recent efforts...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: I, too, support the Bill. My constituency colleague, Deputy Tom Hayes, should note that Government backbench Deputies must keep the show on the road, unlike Opposition Deputies who can speak and act as they wish.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: I will not respond to interruptions as I would lose time. I will make my contribution nonetheless.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: The Deputies opposite are taking a blunderbuss approach The public finances are in deep disorder.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: Irrespective of who may have caused the problem, our finances are in deep disorder. We can blame the banks or whomever else but we are in a crisis. The Government expects to have to borrow €26 billion this year. One third of Government spending has gone on social welfare this year. As Opposition Deputies will privately admit, this is an unsustainable position and we must face up to...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: The Department of Finance has carried out a technical analysis which suggests that between September 2008 and September 2009, the consumer price index fell by approximately 3.25% for retired households, 5.75% for unemployed households and 7.5% for working households. Prices fell by approximately 7.5% for those in the highest income bracket and 5.25% for the lowest income bracket. We must...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: Deputies did not refer to the schemes which have been retained. They all lobbied strongly in recent weeks and months to save family resource centres. I compliment the Minister and Minister for Finance on retaining these valuable centres in every town and village. Deputy Tom Hayes and I have three such centres in our constituency of Tipperary South. They are run by participants in...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: There has been a cut of €2 million in funding for the national agencies and their number has been reduced by two. Services on the ground have been maintained. However, we are keeping the services to which, according to Deputy Durkan, everyone will be flocking. I accept more people will be going to these organisation and will be in need of more supports. Thankfully, they will be in...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: I cannot hear the Deputy. I am not listening. I should not listen. I shall continue to say what I intended to say when I entered the Chamber.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Mattie McGrath: I refer to protecting the pensioners. Almost a half a million people aged over 66 years are fully protected in this budget. This is something to which they are entitled and richly deserve. We will support them. We have also avoided any cuts in the State pension. Other supports will not be cut, such as the household benefit package, which included free TV licences, electricity and gas...