Results 5,101-5,120 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: We could find three winners.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 6: In page 4, discussed section 3, to insert the following new section:

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: You do not know if you will score from the first ball.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I prefaced my contribution by saying that the Government could argue, probably justifiably in some cases, that the targets could be met between now and 2007. However, we should remember what was set out in the document that we mentioned. The figures were achievable and realistic, but they were not met. My point concerned the commitment to meet targets that were realistic and achievable. That...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 8: In page 4, before section 3, to insert the following new section: 3.–The Minister shall as soon as may be after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on expenditure on social protection in the State relative to that of other EU member states and particularising the precise statistical impact of the lower number of...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: While I will not be pressing the amendment, I ask the Minister to be cognisant of this statistic which is worrying in the European context. I ask her to consider dealing with the issue at some time in the future.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: The Labour Party has yet to find €20 million to invest in a communications unit that can trot out untruths and fallacies such as we have just heard. We shall continue without the kind of spin-doctoring that has surrounded this Administration for the past four or five years. The national health strategy initiated by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, was inspirational. It...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: The Minister for Finance is Cheltenham Charlie, though I have half a dozen other names for him. I am sticking to the text of our Private Members' motion. If the Government Senators think that children's health is a flippant issue that deserves nothing but snide comments and smiles, perhaps that is reflection of Government thinking with regard to the medical card issue. The manner in which...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: Would the offer be means tested?

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: It is a venial sin on this side of the House.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I agree.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and I extend the opportunity of political transition to Senator Cox who feels hard done by. She is welcome to take a seat on this side of the House.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: That is the impression the Senator gave. When people speak with such passion and conviction, we read into what they say. The budgets of the past six to seven years have reflected an economic buoyancy we had not experienced for quite some time. In the black days of the recession when money was scarce, young people flocked to ports and airports as the dole queues became increasingly longer. It...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: The Minister for Social and Family Affairs has outlined in great detail the effect of this blatant disregard for those who are worst off. I acknowledge the detail in the context of the difficulties some of us would have had in sifting through and comparing various figures. I commend the Minister for doing it for us. I hope it is a trait she will not lose during her term of office.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I expect things to deteriorate over the coming years. When the national finances take a turn for the worse through the actions of the apostle of fiscal rectitude, the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, the poorest will be hit. I sympathise with the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, as I would with any Cabinet Minister who has to ask the Minister for Finance for money for his or her Department....

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: The Government has been reckless. It is a shame that a Government Senator would defend this. In fairness to other Senators, they may have decided not to come into the House for this debate but I hand it to Senator Cox for being brazen in her defence of the Government. The figures spell out the reality. What happened to the money? What happened to the Celtic tiger?

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: Why did she not cry and shout for the people about whom we are talking in the context of this Bill? The rate of domestic inflation is now double the EU average. This achievement is the sole responsibility of the apostle of fiscal rectitude, the person responsible for the mismanagement of the country's funds, the Minister for Finance. The net effect is that the social welfare increases are...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: I did not interrupt the fair-haired Senator from Galway. I expect the same treatment.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: The changes made by the Government to the rent supplement are a crude act which has obliterated the increases. There are about 50,000 carers who are being consistently neglected by the Government. They are providing an invaluable service but their efforts and dedication have not been recognised by the Minister for Finance in his successive budgets. There is an additional €7 per week for...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Michael McCarthy: Whether in its present format or previous incarnation the Government has consistently neglected carers.