Results 22,121-22,140 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage. (8 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: I wish to share my time with Deputies Connolly, Boyle and Ó Caoláin.

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage. (8 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this legislation. When the budget was announced I thought that finally the Government was listening to the views and policies of the Independent Deputies by taking a step towards narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor. I welcomed the fact that much of the additional Exchequer finances available to the Government were...

Official Engagements. (8 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: The hand of history is upon us.

Written Answers — Educational Disadvantage: Educational Disadvantage (3 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Question 183: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will target extra resources to the schools in disadvantaged areas, in which 60,000 children live in poverty, and put a comprehensive strategy and action plan together on this issue. [3229/05]

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (3 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Question 116: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will address the difficulties for Irish citizens in Northern Ireland in obtaining an Irish passport, particularly regarding the new forms and having them signed at Garda stations at which they are not known; and the details of a resolution to this problem. [3281/05]

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (3 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Question 121: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if support will be given to a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 5 in its efforts to create a focal sporting centre in Donnycarney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3242/05]

Written Answers — Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (3 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Question 173: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will bring forward a comprehensive action plan to reduce class sizes in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3190/05]

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (3 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Question 174: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if priority will be given to the application for grant aid under the summer works scheme 2005 for roof repairs and mechanical works at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3191/05]

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (3 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Question 207: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if kitchens and the dining room will be urgently re-opened at St. Anne's Court, Dublin 5; and if he will work closely with the residents on this issue. [3204/05]

Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill, which is important legislation. This debate should form part of our efforts to redress the balance and divert funds to the most needy in our society. This legislation is a wealth tax and it is important that the additional resources to which it will give rise will be directed towards the...

Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: I am going soft.

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (2 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Question 197: To ask the Taoiseach his views on the extent of non co-operation by the British authorities with official inquiries in this jurisdiction, including inquests; the action the Government will take; his further views on whether it is acceptable that victims should be left to pursue private actions in the European Court of Human Rights. [2916/05]

Written Answers — Victims' Commission: Victims' Commission (2 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Question 295: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether in the absence of a truth commission, both the British and Irish Governments should now adopt a victims' charter (details supplied). [2910/05]

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (2 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Question 296: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to the outcome of the Barron report committee, the arrangements which now exist for mutual co-operation between the gardaí and the PSNI in the investigation of crimes with a definite cross-Border dimension. [2913/05]

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (2 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Question 297: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether his Department appears to be adopting a very restrictive approach in releasing files from 30 years ago to the national archives and on the fact that information relating to the number of files, the name of the files and the file coding numbers is itself regarded as secret; and if he has satisfied...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Question 298: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the activities of the British secret service here in 1972 should now be made public and the Oireachtas should be informed of the activities of a person (details supplied), the files of the Garda Síochána to which this person sought or obtained access, of the length of time the spying ring was in...

Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: What happened to the extra hours which were promised in the budget?

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Deputy Allen asked about the EU position on Palestine. During the week, I met Palestinian representative Ali Halimeh, Dr. Jamal Zkhalka of the National Democratic Assembly and an Arab member of the Knesset. They asked me and other Members of the House on a cross-party basis to convey the message that while the vast majority of Palestinians, including smaller groups like Hamas, want a complete...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: I speak as an Irishman, an internationalist, somebody who tries to follow the great Connolly tradition on this island. It might not be politically correct but it is important always to question and challenge the European Council, particularly the proposed EU constitution. It is also important to ensure that our citizens are informed in a meaningful way on all developments. It scares me to...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (1 Feb 2005)

Finian McGrath: Question 222: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if support will be given to a group (details supplied) in such programmes as the social economy programme and the local development programmes; and if he will reverse his decision on this matter and support the development of a more inclusive and informed society. [2529/05]