Results 10,461-10,480 of 23,550 for speaker:Michael Healy-Rae

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: There are people without limbs, people who might not look the same as any of us, and someone might say they are not as good as us but I would say that they might be much better than us. At the same time, if abortion was freely and readily available in this country, they might not have had the right to come into this world because they might have been taken out of it before they had the...

Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: I have to admit I am nervous this evening. I become nervous about any debate or speaking in public. The reason I am nervous this evening is that I believe passionately in what I am going to say. Nobody can blame me for that or hold it against me. It is just my heartfelt belief. It is the way I was brought up and I am grateful for the opportunity to say my few words on what I believe and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: Apologies have been received from Senator Paul Coghlan. I remind members that it is important to ensure their mobile phones are switched off as they cause serious problems for broadcasting, editorial and sound staff. I am particularly pleased that we are having an engagement with Mr. Branimir Zaimov, ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Ireland. On behalf of the joint committee, I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: Before going to members I acknowledge the warm reception the Taoiseach got when he went to Bulgaria. He was very grateful for the reception he received and the work that he and his team did while there. They were very glad to be able to fit that visit into his schedule.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: We wish the Senator well on that trip.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: Five or six years.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: Thank you, Senator. I invite the ambassador to respond and kindly ask that he condense his replies. We are grateful that he is here today.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Discussion (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: I thank the ambassador for the comprehensive response he has given to the queries. Along with committee members, I join in wishing him every good luck during the term of the Presidency. Committee members and I believe in engaging with people such as the ambassador, particularly in light of Brexit and all of the problems and difficulties it will bring. From today, we look forward to having...

Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: Tell that to the fellow who has the grub lost to him. That is a joke.

Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: If the Tánaiste believes that-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: Over 80% of local authority tenants are debarred from purchasing their homes. If a person has retired and has a lump sum, he or she has plenty of money to purchase the house but if he or she is on a pension or disability payment, he or she is not allowed purchase the house from the local authority. Surely to God it should be overhauled. It needs to be looked at. We cannot debar 80% of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: 123. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the general practitioner service (details supplied) in Waterville, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2252/18]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: 142. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2139/18]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Banking (17 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: 202. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the community banking report will be published (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2241/18]

Hospital Trolley Crisis: Motion [Private Members] (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: The craziest statement a Minister for Health ever made was made by the current incumbent in the recent past. He said he wants to build more hospitals. He said he wants to make more beds available and that he will have to build more hospitals. I want to reinforce my argument. The Minister should come down to Kerry and we will show him the hospitals that are completely under-utilised. We...

Topical Issue Debate: GLAS Payments (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: The reply is totally unacceptable but I am not blaming the Minister of State. He did not write it but whoever did does not have the first clue about agriculture. We know about the people who have not submitted their nutrient plans and about such cases but the people we are talking about are not in that category. The category of people we are talking about are those who are 100% compliant....

Topical Issue Debate: GLAS Payments (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: Before I begin, I wish to acknowledge Deputy Ferris's tireless work as his party's spokesperson on agriculture. In particular, the work he has done on behalf of fishermen in Kerry throughout his career in politics has been second to none. I have followed the Minister of State's career. He is a practical, sensible and down-to-earth man. I want a simple answer from him. Last year, IT...

European Council: Statements (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: I wish the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Minister of State a happy new year. The outcomes of the European Council meeting before Christmas are important and cover many areas. As Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, I will refer mostly to the Brexit negotiations. It is welcome that significant progress has been made to allow the negotiations to move from phase...

Order of Business (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: Early in the morning on the Friday before Christmas, I spoke early to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine about this important subject. We are being told that IT issues are stopping GLAS payments from being made. It was the same story last year and the year before. I will explain to the Taoiseach what a GLAS payment is. It is the farmer's lifeline and is needed desperately...

Order of Business (16 Jan 2018)

Michael Healy-Rae: -----stopping farmers from receiving this payment? It is their money. They are entitled to it. They should have it, but it is being delayed. They owe contractors for last year's work. They owe creameries and co-ops.