Results 5,501-5,520 of 7,404 for speaker:Mick Wallace

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (17 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: 441. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the need to restructure commercial vehicle road tax in order to bring costs for the Irish haulage sector in line with those in Northern Ireland and other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25484/14]

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: Do you know what? I have been in this place three years. Generally I come in here and talk specifically about the Bill before me. Yet, I have listened to people talk about everything except what is in the Bill for three years. Now, you want to tell me that I cannot talk about agriculture in Wexford.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: I know what you mean. Thank you for the advice. It is much appreciated. Given that Johnson Castle carries out research and makes recommendations for the industry in Ireland it is something of a surprise that there is no one promoting local potatoes, because the potatoes in Wexford are unusual. The matter is worth considering. In Wexford, British Queen, Golden Wonder and Kerr's Pink are...

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: Does the Minister not agree? My brother has a supermarket. For 25 years his frozen food cabinet has been getting longer and longer. It is not that he does not have good fresh food, but there is less demand for it.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: You do not want me to talk any more about potatoes.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: I am concerned because recently we have been growing genetically modified potatoes in Carlow. It will be a sad day if we go down that road and it is not in the interests of the Irish farmer to engage in genetically modified foods. If organisations like Monsanto begin calling the shots on what food we use and what pesticides or sprays we use then it will not be good, especially for the small...

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: I am not.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: How much talk has there been about the graveyard since the debate opened?

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: Does the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine think I am out of order in speaking about agricultural items? Seaweed is an agricultural item and an interesting topic. It is problematic.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: You have spent more time talking than I have.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: Johnstown Castle Agricultural College is certainly part of the Bill. I think the college should engage in the seaweed issue because there is scope for an industry related to seaweed in the area. Given the environment along the south coast of Wexford there is considerable potential for the harvesting of seaweed. I understand this area comes under the remit of the Department of the...

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: I am prepared to teach you.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: Yes. It is great to see all the Deputies from Wexford in the House.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: I am not as fit as I should be. I am sure Anthony Kelly of Sinn Féin will be a Member of the House after the next general election and he will be obliged to make contributions on the issue of agriculture as it relates to Wexford.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: Johnstown Castle is situated very close to my home. It is an absolutely beautiful spot. Am I correct in understanding that it will be reopened to members of the public? It is an awful pity that it has not been open to them for some time. Some years ago I played soccer in the grounds of the castle for Forth Celtic football club from Murrintown.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: Yes. I even ran three marathons without training for them. I could run all day on a soccer pitch at that time but, of course, I was much younger. I am glad to be able to walk at this stage. Johnstown Castle is a real gem. It is extremely beautiful and it will be great if the public are given greater access to it. There is quite an amount of land attached to the castle and I am aware...

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: Am I then to understand that because some private operator has agreed to do it before July 2016, Wellingtonbridge will not be on the list for direct State intervention in this regard? Can the Minister identify the private company that has been designated for the Wellingtonbridge area? July 2016 seems like a long time away and as most things are not delivered on time in Ireland, it could be...

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: I welcome the State's intention to invest half a billion euro in direct state aid. A recent World Bank study of 120 counties found that for every increase of ten percentage points in the penetration of broadband, there is an increase of 1.3% in economic growth. Given that the private sector organisation that has earmarked provision for the Wellingtonbridge area is at least two years away...

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: 6. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the poor quality of broadband services in the Wellingtonbridge and Bannow areas of Wexford; his plan to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24773/14]

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (12 Jun 2014)

Mick Wallace: A constituent of mine in Bannow told me he is currently forced to use Q Sat for his broadband connection. It gives him a speed of 5 Mbps and a monthly usage allowance of 10 GB. He said the service is barely adequate for conducting day-to-day business and is definitely not good enough to allow him to use facilities such as Skype. What are the Minister's plans to address the poor quality of...