Results 4,041-4,060 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

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

Michael McCarthy: Policy, policy, policy.

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

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, to the House. I look forward to interacting with him on the Finance Bill 2009. Much has been said in recent times about the economic downturn. It is unfortunate that we find ourselves in the current situation. To paraphrase Laurel and Hardy, "That's another fine mess they've gotten us into." No one would win any prizes for guessing who...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael McCarthy: Before I begin-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I will confess that it is a bit like Dove - it is natural beauty.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I am still approximately 40 years younger than Senator Norris and I do not need air brushing. I second Senator O'Toole's amendment to the Order of Business. He is correct in that the Bill would provide the Government, particularly the Green Party, with an opportunity to put its principles where its mouth is and to debate the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Michael McCarthy: As credit unions have been front page news this morning, Senator O'Toole is justified in raising the matter. Regulation is important and the Houses have bemoaned the absence in recent years of proper regulation of the banking system. In this case an attempt is being made by the Financial Regulator to put a framework in place for credit union cash reserves. Introducing a strict new ratio...

Seanad: Monageer Report: Motion (27 May 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews. To put this in context, the Fine Gael motion states: That the Monageer report in full be referred to the Joint Committee on Health and Children for the committee's consideration both of the substance of the report and to determine whether it should be published in full and submissions requested on the recommendations made in the report. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to comment on the findings of the Ryan commission. I could not help but be almost moved to tears by listening to the man in the audience in "Questions and Answers" on Monday night. It was difficult to listen to his personal account of the sheer horror of what happened and to his sheer frustration with the manner in which he was dealt with by the commission. As he put it so...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I agree with the previous two speakers and share their sadness at the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. Without question, it is the most shameful episode in Irish history. I was listening yesterday to a number of radio stations on the Internet. They were based in the UK and it was, quite rightly, the lead story, as it was on Sky News. One heard the harrowing accounts...

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Michael McCarthy: What about the Minister for Agriculture and Food?

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Michael McCarthy: As usual the Leas-Chathaoirleach is chairing the debate very effectively. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Trevor Sargent. I look forward to interacting with him in this debate. I welcome the fact we are debating an important issue. In the current economic downturn, debate tends to centre on the global, European and national economies. Too often, issues such as this are pushed to...

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I believe so. The Minister of State visited Clonakilty, one of the food capitals of west Cork. One of my people heard the Minister of State speak. He is welcome in west Cork any time. Senator Kieran Phelan referred to farming. There has been extensive lobbying from the Irish Farmers Association regarding the difficulties caused by the economic downturn, particularly for younger farmers....

Seanad: Organic Food Industry: Statements (20 May 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I could be here for the evening but nevertheless the Minister of State is aware of these areas and has visited them recently. He taught in Dunmanway and was involved in the cub scout movement there. I was in the beavers at that stage as I was too young to be in that net. Cork County Council has provided a land bank on the Clonakilty road in Dunmanway. There are people who encourage the...

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Michael McCarthy: That is not true.

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Michael McCarthy: Give us a break.

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, to the House. My opening comments were planned to be directed to the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh. I was appalled last night to watch "Nightly News with Vincent Browne" and to hear the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, defend the budget in the way he did. The practice whereby serving TDs and Senators were in receipt of...

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Michael McCarthy: The manner in which backbench Deputies nearly jumped out of their seats last October, yet only gave a cautious clap last Tuesday, is the most difficult aspect to accept. What are the Senators on the opposite side of the House telling their constituents? What do Ministers and Government representatives say when they are approached by people whose houses are about to be repossessed, who have...

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Michael McCarthy: I am glad the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, has returned to the House, as I will conclude on this question. Is it fair of any Minister to argue that a Taoiseach should retain a pension worth €170,000 per year while, like the Grinch, the Christmas bonus from social welfare recipients is removed? Reconciling these facts is beyond me. Why are the poor and most vulnerable being made to...

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Michael McCarthy: Tell that to pensioners.

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Michael McCarthy: Grinch.