Results 6,101-6,120 of 7,985 for speaker:Michael Fitzmaurice

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Action Plan for Rural Development: Discussion (29 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I am sorry. Rural Ireland is more than just Leader. There is the Pillar 1 payment under the CAP where 80% of the money goes to a certain amount of people while 20% goes to 80% of the people. Has the Department of Rural and Community Development an input in that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Action Plan for Rural Development: Discussion (29 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Is it Brickens?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Senator McDowell.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank the delegates for their presentations. An Post is getting a loan of €30 million. Its income is approximately €78 million. The figure in respect of social welfare payments is approximately €50 million. There seems to be a hole every year. I am almost sure the figure in respect of social welfare payments was €60 million, but it is now down to €50...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The driver's licence. Why is there no tie-up with courier companies? Postmasters cannot take in parcels because they have signed a contract with An Post. Why is An Post not actively searching for businesses that will bring in €1 or €2 on every transaction that will a service something viable? What is the position on a bank that actively wants to locate in Ireland? Has An...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bord na Móna: Chairperson Designate (28 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I wish Mr. Meagher the best of luck in his new position. I wish to hear his vision for apprenticeships in Bord na Móna in the coming years. In fairness, the company had a great name for bringing forward new generations of apprentices, particularly fitters. Unfortunately, it appears that in the period between now and 2030 some 1,600 to 1,700 jobs in peat production will be under...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Bord na Móna: Chairperson Designate (28 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Other Deputies asked about making bogs available for relocation, which would sort another of the State's problems.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (28 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 342. To ask the Minister for Health the date the new theatre will be open for surgery in Merlin Park hospital in view of the fact that follow-up meetings in respect of it did not occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49965/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (28 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 343. To ask the Minister for Health the alternative arrangements that have been put in place in hospitals in County Galway in view of the fact that the operating theatres in Merlin Park hospital are closed; if the same number of persons are being catered for now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49966/17]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (28 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 471. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will be granted ANC and BPS payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49878/17]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (28 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 499. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when ANC and BPS payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50443/17]

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I support the amendment. Generous conditions are applied to ensure charities can survive. The report requested in the amendment should be done for the two reasons set out by Deputy Michael McGrath. In addition, we must ensure we deliver on this issue for the simple reason that it would be of assistance. A large number of legacies go unaccounted for and the State grabs nearly everything....

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: There is a lot of stuff in this amendment and a lot of pages. It is welcome that there is an incentive and that stamp duty can be drawn back. It may be a good idea. It is a pity this arrangement was not made for other things. The amendment recognises the problem with the housing crisis in different parts of the country. The measure is welcome. What happens when the payments are being...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I move amendment No. 66:In page 58, to delete line 10 and substitute the following:"(i) in paragraph (4), by substituting "2 per cent of stamp duty for the first €300,000 for agricultural land sales" for "2 per cent”, and".

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Vótáil.

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The Minister talks about separating things out. If the Department of Finance was in tune it would have a separate thing for agricultural land. The Minister says he cannot separate one from the other, but there is a scheme for farmers under 35 years. Unfortunately, there is a situation where the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine says a young farmer is one under 40 years and the...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: One would now need 33 such cattle to buy a middling car. That is how times have changed. We have to be mindful of businesspeople. Members encourage people, in particular in rural areas, who run businesses such as hardware stores, small shops or pubs and tell them to be entrepreneurs. Many of their premises will be bought for €200,000 or €300,000. The increase in stamp...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I understand where Deputy Boyd Barrett is coming from and, in fairness, he has done his figures fairly well. The problem is if something is introduced, the businesses that are just surviving may be blown out. It is a balancing act in business for a Minister or anybody else. I understand fully where the Deputy is coming from and I know the Deputy wishes to help weaker businesses in what he...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I move amendment No. 65:In page 58, to delete line 10 and substitute the following:"(i) in paragraph (4), by substituting “2 per cent of stamp duty for the first €300,000 on non-residential holdings” for "2 per cent", and". This move in the budget caught many by surprise. On the evening of the budget I tweeted that this tax was an attack on rural Ireland and the...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Fitzmaurice: This is a hard ball to juggle. Some parts of the country, such as Dublin, are doing well and hotels are flying. Unfortunately, hotels down the country have struggled. The 9% VAT rate needs to be left in place. The Department needs to come up a system which deals with areas where hotels are filled to capacity, such as in Dublin where those looking for hotel bed cannot get them. On the...