Results 4,361-4,380 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McCarthy: No, the Leader should look at me.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McCarthy: It that a statement of intent?

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McCarthy: Much has been said in recent times with regard to house prices and the ever-widening gap for young, hard-working people who cannot afford to buy their own homes. Much debate is centred around stamp duty, which was the issue floated recently by the Progressive Democrats. Today marks the fourth anniversary of the abolition of the first-time buyer's grant by the then Minister for the...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Nov 2006)

Michael McCarthy: This issue has been causing huge concern in Clonakilty in recent times. Those concerned, the principal, teaching staff, parents and pupils who attend Clonakilty community college, are beyond frustration. The college was built in 1980 to accommodate 400 pupils. There are now almost 600 students enrolled there. There is a clear need for an extension to the school. Much professional advice...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Nov 2006)

Michael McCarthy: The most telling part of the reply is the statement that the project is under active consideration. It has been for many years but we need to know when it will happen. If that decision were announced, people would be happy. The project has been already approved and if there were no knowledge deficit, the situation would not be so frustrating. The project is urgent. I thank the Minister,...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (15 Nov 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to explain the reasoning behind my amendment although the Minister of State has moved the Government amendment. There was an indication that this would be dealt with at an earlier stage. I thank the Minister of State for taking the time to consult the Department and for coming back with this amendment. It is important that this information is available on the Internet. I thank the...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (15 Nov 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I was thinking of the broadcast of "The Week in Politics" on the night of the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis and how well the Minister of State looked alongside his two new colleagues in Cork North-West. I was overcome with emotion.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (15 Nov 2006)

Michael McCarthy: He was referred to as the cuckoo in Cork North-West the following day on RTE Radio 1. I thank the Minister of State and his officials for being forthright with the legislation and for accepting amendments that improved it. It will prove to be very effective.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Nov 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I was expecting the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, to reply on this matter. The Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, will understand that my remarks are directed towards the Minister, Deputy Hanafin.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is one of many debates we have had on housing in the past four years and each time we have debated the issue it has been more relevant and significant, with house prices becoming more expensive than on the previous occasion. Before the summer the Minister of State gave a commitment with regard to staged payments. This issue is largely...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I recommend that the Government build affordable houses for the thousands of people on our housing lists.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: We have a housing list in west Cork that increases weekly but nothing has been done about it.

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: Before the summer, the Daft.ie survey priced a three-bed semi in the Clonakilty region at €350,000, the most expensive town in Ireland in which to buy a home. I could show the Minister of State hundreds of couples and families in the area who cannot afford to buy their home at these prices and they face a shortage of social and affordable housing. It seems nothing has changed since the...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: Will the Leader seek clarity from the Minister for Social and Family Affairs regarding a press release he issued in April 2006 relating to lone parents? At that stage he stated, he would "end the cohabitation rule by making it neutral in terms of influencing people's basic choices regarding their living arrangements". I contacted the Department last week on behalf of an individual who came...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I, too, thank the Minister of State and his officials for the swift and professional manner with which they dealt with the Bill. Such was the agreement from Senator Bannon that he did not table any amendments. That reflects the uniformity of consensus in the House.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I wish to raise a related point. The Minister of State and I sat near each other when we were members of Cork County Council. I raised an issue on the Order of Business regarding the service local authority officials now provide to Oireachtas Members. Last month marked my fifth year working on improvement works in lieu of housing and by next March I will have been dealing with an...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: That is outrageous.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I did not have £50,000 in 1989.

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, line 22, after "work" to insert ", use". I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to the House. This amendment essentially broadens the category of person whose interests can be considered in developing a district. Users of the area, for example, customers, should be also...

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2006)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 2: In page 9, line 8, after "concerned," to insert "and on the internet". These amendments essentially provide for free public access to any proposal on the Internet. I had tabled another amendment. The correction, as suggested in my amendment, will be included at the reprint stage. Therefore, it does not appear on this. I therefore cannot claim credit for it, but I will.