Results 6,261-6,280 of 20,719 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Early Exit from Peat for Electricity Generation: Statements (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: We were involved in talks to form a Government for several weeks and we insisted that every piece of legislation should be rural-proofed. Not one syllable of legislation has been rural-proofed.

Early Exit from Peat for Electricity Generation: Statements (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: Cá bhfuil an Comhaontas Glas?

Early Exit from Peat for Electricity Generation: Statements (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: Cá bhfuil siad?

Early Exit from Peat for Electricity Generation: Statements (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this important matter. There will be many people in the midlands and, indeed, beyond who will look on the Government's plans around a so-called just transition away from solid fuels like peat with a fair degree of concern if not downright alarm. I hope that whatever the plans for an early exit from peat for electricity generation that they will...

Early Exit from Peat for Electricity Generation: Statements (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: What remark?

Early Exit from Peat for Electricity Generation: Statements (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: Yes, I did. I said that the Deputy does not care about rural Ireland. I said that I was surprised at her coming from a rural constituency, being part of this Government.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: Give them a bonus.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: There are various reports that the local government fund had been cut by €30 million this year. In that context, I raise an issue close to my own area in Ardfinnan, where there are problems with a damaged bridge. The bridge has now been repaired, but an application for a footbridge has been made in the interest of health and safety. Many other projects have been proposed as well,...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: On behalf of the Rural Independents I will briefly say a few words on the life, times and sad passing of Peter Kelly. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann from Longford-Roscommon in the 2002 general election. When I came here in 2007 I gained no greater friend than Peter. I also gained his advice and counsel, as well as his laughter and fun. He regaled us with many stories about...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I support the amendment. Deputy Pearse Doherty has debated other amendments, but this is a punitive tax. There should be a carrot and stick rather than only a stick. That is what the impact of this carbon tax is on farmers, particularly small farmers. There is a swathe of them across the west, and indeed in my county, and they are struggling. That is the reason we saw so many of them on...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I recognise all of this and appreciate the fact that some recognition was given last year and some changes made after the fact. A huge cohort of people, many of them elderly and some not so elderly, have used various remedies available from health shops and they have a good relationship with them. There is more awareness now and more availability of these products . Last year, in answer to...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I appeal to the Minister to talk to the Minister for Health. As Deputy Burton said, the GPs' surgeries are overrun. This is an alternative that many families use, as do many elderly people. They have got to know the practitioners who are administering the health foods. It is a big business now and is very well supported. As was said, these businesses keep the queues away from the...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: Under this section the stamp duty payable on holdings of fewer than 40 ha would be 1%. We are trying to maintain some semblance of support for smallholders, who are literally being pushed off the land. We want to keep those farms viable and keep those units in production. We must support them in any way we can, through stamp duty and all other areas, rather than being overly punitive....

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: Of course, I accept that those schemes are in place. Every year we are lobbied by the IFA and many other farm organisations and acknowledge that they are of benefit. However, our three amendments seek to do two things. One of them relates to business, but the two related to agriculture seek to sustain the smallholding which is not sustainable and has not been for some time. We want to...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: It is not agreed.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: Votáil.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I understand that.

Illegal Drugs: Motion [Private Members] (5 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I did.

Illegal Drugs: Motion [Private Members] (5 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I did mean it. I spoke to him last week. I sat with him for three hours and he told me that he had enough resources.

Illegal Drugs: Motion [Private Members] (5 Nov 2019)

Mattie McGrath: I did mean it. He told me that he had adequate resources to deal with it.