Results 6,101-6,120 of 20,725 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I am almost always remarkably focused. I refer to the people I represent here, the plain people of Ireland. All they want to do is go out and play bingo. They were playing it when the Leas-Cheann Comhairle was a buachaill óg. They were playing it when I was a buachaill óg, and even before I was even a bad thought in anyone’s head. We hope they will continue to play it....

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: Yes, but the Minister of State will make it so bureaucratic and cumbersome-----

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: They met the Minister of State today. We met him. I do not like to quote him but Ivan Yates said he had 20 minutes with the Minister of State on his programme and that he made no sense whatsoever and that he did not understand it. I do not know if Ivan plays bingo. What he would play is probably more serious in regard to sport. We know he is a former bookie. Does the Minister of State...

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: Amendment No. 12 is not in this grouping.

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: Is it? I did not write down amendment No. 12.

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I did not know amendment No. 12 was in this grouping. I thank an Teachta Rabbitte. Amendment No. 12 is the most important one. I thank the Deputy for the prompt. We are concerned about the legislation. There was an occasion previously where the Minister, Deputy Ross, recommitted a measure and he allowed an amendment through, at a glance, to a road traffic Bill. I want an amendment...

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I am worried about the thrust of amendment No. 12.

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: People are concerned.

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: The presenter, Ivan Yates, said he did not understand the Bill. The bingo people-----

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: He was a Member of this House for a long time. In fairness, he was a good Minister and I accept that.

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I know that, but a Derry girl had a song called "All Kinds of Everything" that had national prominence.

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: It is the worry I have, as an Teachta Michael Healy-Rae has said. We must be very careful. We want to allow clubs to have clarity of purpose. People are concerned and we have met people who have organised many bingo events, and I am sure Deputies from other parties have met them as well. There is concern about this, although I know previous amendments have been withdrawn or not moved....

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I also support Deputy Martin Kenny's amendment and its definition of private members' clubs as being "a voluntary and unincorporated association of persons over the age of eighteen years". People are very concerned about these clubs. They have met with the Minister of State and others. The Taoiseach was asked about this earlier. They could be closed down as of today even before the Bill...

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I apologise for being late. I did not expect this debate to start so soon. I support Deputy Sherlock's proposal. I agree with Deputy Naughten that section 12 could be an option for recommittal. People have become aware of this now. We often pass legislation that has unintended consequences. I know the Taoiseach gave his answers today. Either he was mistaken, he did not understand it,...

Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: It is not agreed.

Environmental Impact of Quarries and Incinerators: Motion [Private Members] (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I, too, support the motion by Deputy O'Dea. It is a very important motion and especially for the Deputy's area. I am astounded that the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, has been shoved in here on his own with just one Fine Gael backbencher. They have a good few representatives in that area, including a Deputy who was a very senior Minister until he retired, and I wish him well in that....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: It will.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: It is the little people who are being attacked again.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: There are major concerns in the pig industry here about imported pork and other products coming from areas close to where there is swine flu. Have we proper checks in our ports and airports by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in this regard? This is a deadly serious virus and it could be worse than foot and mouth disease for the pig industry. The pig industry is our third...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2019)

Mattie McGrath: The Taoiseach and his colleagues are like schoolchildren.