Results 5,941-5,960 of 6,944 for speaker:Michael McNamara

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Industry: Bord Bia, ICOS and Positive Farmers (3 Feb 2015)

Michael McNamara: Is there a certain distrust of unpasteurised cheeses in Ireland, given the greater degree of risk from such cheese, but equally is there is a huge market in unpasteurised cheese in other countries? France has probably the largest market and has both an internal and export market for its cheese. Some of these unpasteurised French cheeses are readily for sale in Irish supermarkets. These...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Industry: Bord Bia, ICOS and Positive Farmers (3 Feb 2015)

Michael McNamara: What is the case more broadly in Government circles?

Topical Issue Debate: Airport Landing Slots (20 Jan 2015)

Michael McNamara: I appreciate the difficulty the Minister is in by virtue of the Irish Takeover Panel having deemed Aer Lingus to be in an offer period. I wrote to the Minister immediately following the publication of the news of the first takeover bid on 19 December 2014. I do not know if that was considered an offer period then, so perhaps a more detailed reply may have been possible. In any event, I did...

Topical Issue Debate: Airport Landing Slots (20 Jan 2015)

Michael McNamara: I will try to be brief, as I have just two minutes rather than the usual four. The last four years have been difficult for all regions of the country, including the mid-west and the county I have the honour to represent, namely, County Clare. Nevertheless, there have been significant achievements, particularly given the point from which the Government started. Unemployment remains a lot...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (14 Jan 2015)

Michael McNamara: 289. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the second instalment of the single farm payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) engaged in agricultural activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49664/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Appeals (14 Jan 2015)

Michael McNamara: 779. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it is possible to challenge the chief examiner's assessment of an answer in a leaving certificate appeal; if so, the appropriate procedure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1054/15]

Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (18 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: I move amendment No. 1:In page 4, line 25, after "person" to insert "or with the State's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003".I greatly appreciate the Minister providing an explanation, as not every Minister goes to the trouble of addressing all of the points made in the House. I acknowledge that he addressed many of the points raised by Deputies, including...

Road Traffic (No.2) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) and Subsequent Stages (18 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: I have no problem with the Minister creating new offences to deal with a problem.

Road Traffic (No.2) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) and Subsequent Stages (18 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: I did not say the Minister was creating a new offence retrospectively.

Road Traffic (No.2) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) and Subsequent Stages (18 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this and I am sorry that I was not in the House a couple of minutes ago. I declare to the House that I have four penalty points on my driving licence. The last two were received in respect of a speeding offence in June. As I paid the fine in July, I do not think I am one of the people affected. It is important to state that the fine was paid in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (18 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: 76. To ask the Minister for Finance if the illustrative examples provided to Members of Dáil Éireann of the impact of budget 2015 are contradicted by the findings of the ESRI on the impact of the budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48855/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Felling Licences Applications (18 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: 204. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will initiate prosecutions against National Roads Authority for felling trees adjacent to the N7 in counties Laois and Kildare prior to 20 October 2014 without having obtained licences for tree felling contrary to the Forestry Act 1946 and if without having benefitted from any exemption in law from the requirement to obtain...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (18 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: 593. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to the Exchequer of planting trees along the Portlaoise and Monasterevin bypasses prior to their opening in 2003 and 2004, respectively, which trees have subsequently been felled apparently without licences for tree felling having been obtained pursuant to the Forestry Act 1946; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects Expenditure (18 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: 594. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost incurred by the National Roads Authority in felling trees adjacent to the N7 in Counties Laois and Kildare without having obtained licences for tree felling contrary to the Forestry Act 1946; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49082/14]

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: I am happy to support the Minister's amendment with regard to the constitutional amendment. It provides a considerable guarantee. I suggested earlier that the original Water Services Bill was a legislative measure that would most facilitate privatisation and that no legislation was required to alienate the shares. I wish to correct that. That was the case with the original Bill passed by...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: The ideology of the time.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: No, I am not. The Minister's amendment seeks to increase the board of Irish Water and I am questioning why the board needs to be increased. Bord Gáis achieved much with a board of six people. Having increased the board of Irish Water to eight in 2013, why must it now increase to ten? Will provisions be introduced to ensure there will be no conflict of interest or perceived conflict...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: Section 13 pertains to the board of Ervia. The board of Ervia, unencumbered by referendums, plebiscites and legislation from this House, can vote and make a decision to alienate the shares. We must face reality. Although we can talk around in circles for as long as we want, I can foresee something in the future. I am not one who says Irish Water cannot and will not be privatised, that...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: Section 13 seeks to increase the membership of the board of Ervia. Ervia, formerly Bord Gáis, was chosen to be the parent company for Irish Water due to its experience in developing the infrastructure of a State utility company. Indeed, it has commendable experience in that regard. Bord Gáis was established in 1976 and section 7 of the Gas Act 1976 stated that the board would...

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)

Michael McNamara: Is that Karl Marx or Groucho Marx?