Results 3,361-3,380 of 8,023 for speaker:Michael Fitzmaurice

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 246. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel in the Defence Forces in its various areas over the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4166/22]

Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank the Acting Chairman. I do not necessarily have a problem with the Bill but I am somewhat at a loss to know what miraculous inspiration will be carried out by the Construction Industry Federation, CIF, by being registered with it, that will save everyone from perhaps buying bad blocks or timber, or whatever. I just cannot understand that part. The second part I am trying to fathom,...

Youth Mental Health: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I have known the Minister of State for a while and am not blaming her for any of this, but she is dealing with an elephant, in that she is in the Department of Health but the HSE does its own thing. A few years ago, elderly people with different needs were in the Rosalie unit in Castlerea. People right across the board - Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and Independents - did...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. I am a contractor. As the lads would say, I am not a very big operator but when we are in politics some smart Alec will make a dig. I am a contractor and I do slurry and bailing. I might do 8,000 bales. I have just done a tally that if 50% of FCI members are not eligible for grant aid then between 30,000 to 40,000 farmers throughout...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The maximum amount of grant aid is €40,000. It will not buy a big tank if people have to buy the tank and an agitator. Is this fair to say?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Is it correct to say some countries in the EU have facilitated contractors? My understanding is that one or two countries have facilitated contractors in the system because they understand farmers will not be doing it. To be honest, there is not much point in putting a 2,000 gallon tank behind a Massey Ferguson 135 even if a grant is given for it. I mean no disrespect to the Massey Ferguson...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I wish to ask Mr. Moroney a question. We are discussing climate change and low-emission slurry spreading. There is a report from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on anaerobic digestion. Once the digestate goes through an anaerobic digester at temperature, it is classed as an organic fertiliser, which will be helpful this year. A report done by Teagasc, NUIG, UCD and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: How concerned is Mr. Moroney that, in March 2020, diesel was being bought at 44 cent or 43 cent – it went under 40 cent for a week – but it is at 92 cent in bulk today, or 94 cent for smaller amounts? I have been listening to contractors from my area. With the way the price of diesel is increasing and a carbon tax due to apply to it in May, many contractors now appear to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: This is my final question because I note the runners and the riders are running out of time here. I note the clock has gone to zero. If there was one message the contractors want us to send to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, what would their top message be? I thank the witnesses.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (25 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 334. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the grant to aid persons in purchasing and renovating derelict homes will be made available; the parameters or eligibility criteria for the scheme that have been determined to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3621/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (25 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 333. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the new sewerage scheme grant for towns and villages which are not served by Irish Water infrastructure will be rolled out to the various local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3620/22]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: State Examinations (19 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: First, I thank Minister coming into the House. Last Monday, Deputy Kerrane and myself met students in St Cuan’s College in Castleblakney. Those students last Monday gave up their dinner time or their lunch break and went out to stand together in solidarity looking for the hybrid system that they believe they deserve. I believe they deserve it. In fairness, most Deputies around the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: State Examinations (19 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Schools were opened, but the Minister should realise that many families got Covid-19, many teachers got Covid-19 and there was total disruption. On top of that, it is interesting that many teachers have said that they were surprised at the unions' talk as they were not consulted. We should not even be debating whether children should have the choice. This should be an option every year...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Cost and Supply of Fertiliser in the European Union: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (19 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank the Chair and the witness. Mr. Santini spoke about fertiliser. Would I be correct in saying that the fertiliser that is imported into Europe and the fertiliser that is made in Europe is used on land mostly?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Cost and Supply of Fertiliser in the European Union: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (19 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Is it the case that the fertiliser imported into Europe and that which is made in Europe is mostly used on land?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Cost and Supply of Fertiliser in the European Union: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (19 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: With due respect, Mr. Santini missed one question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Cost and Supply of Fertiliser in the European Union: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (19 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I referred to customs. He referred to COPA and some cereal organisation. I also asked him to explain the different sides of it, because there is his department and there is customs. Have they met up?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Cost and Supply of Fertiliser in the European Union: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (19 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Is everybody aware of it? We were aware of it in Ireland in September and October. I do not know why it takes four months for the EU to move on something. It looks like politics might be slow in Ireland, but it must be crawling very slowly altogether out there.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Cost and Supply of Fertiliser in the European Union: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (19 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Mr. Santini stated that it is not under agriculture, even though it is being used on land. Why is there such a lacuna there? As a result of the price of fertiliser, is there a concern in Europe about both animal welfare and food shortages? From what I understand, and I may need to be corrected, Mr. Santini stated that the customs authorities in Europe have not been contacted about the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Equipment (19 Jan 2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 1360. To ask the Minister for Health if an MRI scanner can be purchased for Roscommon University Hospital to facilitate the midlands thus avoiding patients having to travel to Ballinasloe and Galway for their MRI scans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62993/21]