Results 4,021-4,040 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Dairy Industry: Motion (24 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: It is the least we would expect from banks in the current climate. We should not forget that farmers are also subject to income levies. I raised the matter of fuel costs on the Order of Business today. The average price for a litre of petrol is now €1.20 and for diesel it is approximately €1.08 or €1.09. There was a significant jump in the averages in May, and the tax and duty take...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Fitzgerald. We called for debates on various aspects of the economy such as pensions, mortgages and unemployment. Given the current economic climate, there is a list of debates we could demand. However, on every occasion we asked for such a debate, we did not see the Minister for Finance in the House. He must come into...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (23 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady, to the House again. She was in the House for the Adjournment debate last week and it was the same order, with Senator Corrigan speaking before I did. It seems like déjÀ vu. This motion concerns the sewage treatment scheme for Courtmacsherry and Timoleague, two picturesque villages in south-west County Cork, beautifully located between...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (23 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: This area depends on tourism. This is a very important infrastructural project for the area. A group of people from the area travelled to Dublin and met the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, prior to the local elections. I know the Minister has holidayed in the area and is very aware of the location. He has done the walk from Timoleague to...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (23 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister of State for her reply and her attention to the matter. I hope we can look forward to this project getting off the ground later in the year. Regarding the last sentence, we should delete "should it be approved" and insert "when it will be approved". I hope that will be the case. It is important the Leas-Chathaoirleach would make that visit before the summer is out.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I want to raise the same issues that have been raised by Senator Bacik and others, beginning with Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. It is indefensible that the Government can deprive a hospital as important as Crumlin of necessary funding. Families with sick children are distressed enough and are going through a horrible time as it is. There is no justifiable defence for cutting...

Seanad: Social Welfare Offices (16 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady, to the House and I congratulate her on her appointment. I was one of the first people to meet her on the day of her appointment and I wish her well in her Ministry. I know her brother, Deputy Tom Kitt, quite well. I have raised the issue of the local social welfare office on a number of occasions in this House. To put it in its...

Seanad: Social Welfare Offices (16 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister of State for her response, but I wish to point out a number of issues with her reply. While her earlier comments were correct, the terminology used, "were transferred", "were not interrupted" and "was approximately", was past tense. Given that this issue will be two years old next month, the 2007 figure of 350 will probably have doubled by now. According to the Minister...

Seanad: European Parliament Irish Constituency Members) Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, and the debate on the Bill. As Senator Cannon quite rightly said, in the spirit of transparency and accountability it is good that the House is putting on the record the very important matter put before us in this legislative proposal giving effect to European decisions made in December 2005. I did not get a chance on the Order of Business to...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: Like my colleague, Senator Alex White, I would like to raise the issue of local government. As we all will be aware, a number of people were elected first citizens of their respective cities and towns last night. It is a very important point in the careers of those involved and it is a huge honour to become first citizen of one's area. We congratulate all those who have been elevated to...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate between the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and the House on the reform of local government.

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State. I am glad we are debating the results of the recent elections. I wish to begin by congratulating all the Members of this House who contested the European and Dáil by-elections. In that context, I wish to single out my colleague, Alan Kelly, who had a spectacular victory in the Europe South constituency and who is now a Member of the European Parliament....

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: It could be a drag rather than a limp by the time Christmas comes around.

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: People's frustration and anger manifested itself on Friday last. It was a fantastic day, not least for the Labour Party but also for its Leader, Deputy Gilmore. The Labour Party had three MEPs elected and won a record number of seats on local authorities throughout the country. Let us not forget the reason people voted against the Government. People are literally on the edge and jobs are...

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I wish again to raise a particular issue and I have informed the Leader that I will continue to raise it until action is taken. I would appreciate it if the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, not one of his Ministers of State, would come before the House to discuss it. With respect to junior Ministers, it is about time their senior counterparts began coming before the House to take...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate relating to the awarding of contracts from Departments for services operated by ferries from our islands. I refer in particular to the removal of transfer of undertakings (protection of employment), TUPE, legislation for one of those clauses. This refers to transfer of undertakings, which guarantees that if a contract is awarded again, the terms and...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I also congratulate all those Members of this House who contested the various elections. I particularly congratulate Alan Kelly, who is now a Member of the European Parliament. It is a tribute to these people's political standing that they can join political parties, remain with them and are elected. I call on the Leader to arrange a debate on fisheries, particularly in the context of the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2009 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (28 May 2009)

Michael McCarthy: What about tax exiles?