Results 221-237 of 237 for long speaker:Michael Fitzmaurice

Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (30 Apr 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank the House for the opportunity to speak on this issue and understand that the Chair may have to call time on it shortly. The spring statement is a new idea in Ireland. I am not that long in this House, but from what I understand it had been circulated in recent years. It is basically a statement of where we are and a projection of where we are going. There are positive things in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme and GLAS: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Apr 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: ...around such serious problems in designated areas? I have received representations from farmers with enclosed areas in Mayo. They tell me that they are being prevented because the heather is too long. There is a problem in Sligo and, indeed, in parts of Mayo and Galway. The officials spoke of land needing fencing or farmers ensuring that they are able to outline their parcels, and about...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: North-South Interconnector: EirGrid (21 Apr 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: ...panel would have some expertise in the matter. Will he clarify that point? As I understand it, there is an intention to provide an interconnector between France and Ireland in due course. Looking to the long term, does it make sense to go around the country installing pylons and wind turbines when the probability is that in ten to 15 years time we will not be able to produce...

Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Apr 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: ...they qualify. We must address that problem because statistics indicate that the numbers are dwindling in rural Ireland. There is no point in trying to hide from that fact. People are having to travel longer distances to find a doctor. It is not as appealing to be a doctor in rural Ireland if the numbers living in the area are diminishing. We must do a bit of soul searching in this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Administration (15 Apr 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: ...ongoing maintenance of the Clárleabhar in primary schools, following the introduction of the primary online database in 2016, as an invaluable source of local history, and out of respect for long established tradition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14515/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (31 Mar 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 152. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will assure farmers in counties Roscommon, Leitrim and Longford and in east Galway, whose payments under the agri-environment options scheme have been held up due to an investigation being carried out; his views that these farmers are suffering financial problems, as this has dragged on for a long time; and if he will make a...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (11 Mar 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: ...? In a referendum a few years ago we were told European armies would not be put together, that it could not happen. Now we learn what is being said from media reports. I have not been here long but Deputies who go on trips to other countries tell me Ukraine is a corrupt country and of other countries supported by the European project which are corrupt, but we turn a blind eye to that....

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (5 Mar 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: ...for Social Protection if she will consider creating a status analogous to being on the live register for previously self-employed persons who, following the financial crash, are now de facto long-term unemployed, enabling them to apply for positions or employment schemes, often with State agencies on a part-time or a temporary basis, where there is a stipulation that the applicant must be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Western Rail Corridor: Discussion (4 Mar 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: ...pays back. A Government creates the environment or infrastructure in order that one can create employment, no more than what is going on in Claremorris and in other parts. One must look at the long term. Anyone in business will say one must spend a euro to make a euro. I would like to know from Iarnród Éireann whether the problem with flooding is being addressed....

Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (3 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The amendment is needed. The Bill is too detailed, takes too long and is too prescriptive and cumbersome. They look for the CC of an engine and the mileage of a car. I am not one who would agree that it needs to go through the courts. It can be solved before that. We have a problem coming down the line in the next 18 months in the form of 57,000 houses. If the banks do not make some...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Schools Building Projects Expenditure (27 Jan 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: ...for Finance for funding to ensure that some is made available, because otherwise it is a matter of being penny wise and pound foolish. The carrying out of some of these works will pay in the long term. I ask the Minister of State to try to secure additional funding to provide for this.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: While I have not been a Member for a long time, for the people who may be looking at us, the one thing I would say is that there is no shame in not knowing something. Every Deputy needs clarification. I ask the House to agree to postpone the debate for the time being until we get the facts and figures for the benefit of everyone here and for the benefit of the country. Let us not be over...

Homelessness: Statements (10 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: ...a step in the right direction. There was a lot of focus on homelessness last week. For some people, having ten or 20 houses would not solve the underlying problem. Having experienced somebody belonging to me coming through a situation like this, I know that the underlying problems that must be addressed. There is a general acceptance in this country of a drinking culture. When one...

Local Government (Rates and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Nov 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I commend Deputy McGuinness on his Bill. I have not been in the Dáil for long, but whoever wrote the Minister of State's speech never created a job. Nor could anyone read and believe what the speech contained. I am talking about people who take chances and entrepreneurs who try to create employment, many of whom have had to go into banks on a Friday evening because they were struggling...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: ...a worrying trend. Last night I listened to the former Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, and I thought he was very honest. He said he had indicated the problems to the powers that be all along but they did not listen. It is true that Deputy O'Dowd rolled out the scheme, but if this is how the country functions, with senior civil servants dictating the pace, we in the Dáil...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Further Education and Training Strategy: Discussion (12 Nov 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: ...that this cannot continue. The standard being set for apprenticeships is not good enough. A little piece of paper that tells someone he or she can go down a fall and dig a trench 20 yards long does not make him or her a digger driver. As Senator Hildegarde Naughton said, a long time ago people went to Mervue or the boatyards in Galway to take welding courses and so on and they learned a...

Other Questions: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Relocation Options (22 Oct 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: ...on relocation in respect of turf cutting? The Minister knows that I make the assertion that no issue in respect of turf cutting and relocation has been resolved in 17 years. The Minister is not long in her new job and I wish her luck, but I do not want the same stuff as I have listened to down through the years about this, that and the other issue solved, when what matters is that the...