Results 7,821-7,840 of 8,023 for speaker:Michael Fitzmaurice

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I ask the Minister of State to ensure the Bill is amended on Committee Stage to ensure more youngsters are not forced to take the boat to another country. We must encourage people to get out and going at a young age, rather than fining them €200, €300 or €500 for not having a licence. The small fry are always hit in this country. We are good at generating tax...

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: We will take ten minutes each. When I look at this Bill, I wonder where we are going as a country. Every single page of it has some reference to EU legislation. Do we own our own country? Are we in control of our own destination or is the EU telling us, day in, day out, from when we go to bed to whatever we do in life, where we are going? Are we gone that bad as a country? Have we...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 62. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the Government's claims that the Irish economy has turned the corner and is in recovery, if he will amend the temporary Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts to reduce the impact of the pension related deduction on the pensions of retired public servants, specifically those on modest pensions; and if he...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 195. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reverse the 15% cut to resource hours made by the previous Minister during the economic emergency; if she will reverse the resource hour cuts to pupils with dyslexia and general mild learning disabilities made by the previous Government in 2005, during the reign of the Celtic tiger; if she will reverse the cuts to English as an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) Aer Lingus and Stobart Air (17 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank Mr. Kavanagh for his presentation. In terms of all the media attention in terms of whether the sale is on or off, and the board making its decision, when he was before this committee Mr. Walsh said there was the possibility of job losses and that down the road the number of jobs would grow. What do the witnesses believe will be the consequences? If this merger did not go ahead,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) Aer Lingus and Stobart Air (17 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Is that if the merger does not go ahead?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) Aer Lingus and Stobart Air (17 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I was listening to Mr. Kavanagh on the Knock episode and I do not think he is over enthusiastic about growing a big service in Knock. He basically wants to be guaranteed something but sometimes we have got to take a risk. One speculates to accumulate. I heard Mr. Brogan say when addressing the members that he was for this merger but the reality is that he is on a contract that has seven...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) Aer Lingus and Stobart Air (17 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Has Mr. Walsh spoken to Stobart? He might have other plans for the set-up in six or seven years’ time. Is there any fear that Stobart will have to look for alternative places to go?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Complaints Procedures (17 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 326. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when a review by an independent panel into a complaint against the Garda Síochána, arising from an incident with a person (details supplied) in County Mayo on 14 July 2013 will be completed. [7101/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) IAG (12 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank Mr. Walsh for his presentation. When he talks about Cork and Shannon, I would like to throw Knock into the mix, where there could be benefits of extra numbers. If IAG took over Aer Lingus, can Mr. Walsh give us a business picture of where he intends to bring those other airports in Ireland? From what I have gathered from Mr. Walsh, Aer Lingus regional has a seven-year contract...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) IAG (12 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Where does he see this going in six or seven years? Will IAG take that over?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) IAG (12 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Has IAG spoken to anyone such as Stobart Air?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) IAG (12 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Mr. Walsh said IAG is No. 4, Aer Lingus Regional is No. 3 and Aer Lingus is No. 2.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) IAG (12 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Is he looking at Ryanair and then Nos. 2, 3 and 4 gone? Is a monopoly starting?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) IAG (12 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank Mr. Walsh.

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: There are some good things in the Bill and some things we would like to improve. I accept a strategy is currently being developed for rural areas. We welcome anything that will put a bit of life into rural towns and villages. Shops and businesses are closing down in rural Ireland and high rates are the main problem, with businesses are being stifled as a result. Every business that closes...

Order of Business (12 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: In light of the insolvency legislation, is the Government working with the Department of Education and Skills? In recent months I have come across many people who are going through the insolvency process. They have sons and daughters whom they will be sending to college. Their overall earnings are above the threshold but the reality is that they earn but €24,000 or €25,000...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 29 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Revised) (11 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank the Minister for his presentation. I have read a few lovely flashy documents about the roll-out of broadband. I see that two service suppliers are talking about services in certain areas. Certain towns have been earmarked, but the problem is that when one rings the people concerned to ask them for a date, one is told that every town will have a service by May or June 2016. I...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 29 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Revised) (11 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: It is a problem. There is an urgent need for a roll-out of broadband to all rural areas. It is one of the critical pieces of infrastructure that will ensure the revival of rural areas. I made the Minister aware a few days ago of companies that were in constant contact with other countries. The simple fact is that we will lose jobs. When does the Minister envisage broadband services being...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 29 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Revised) (11 Feb 2015)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank the Minister.