Results 11,501-11,520 of 20,725 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: He did not answer them at all. He might as well have stayed away.

Commission of Investigation Announcement on Tuam Mother and Baby Home: Statements (9 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: This week, all of us have been deeply disturbed by the events in Tuam. Our hearts have been touched by the thought that so many children could have ended their lives in an environment that may have neglected or abandoned them when they were most in need of help. There is no defending or excusing away what is absolutely indefensible. It is a source of shame that so many of our...

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: Yes, it is.

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: We have no problem with that.

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I assure you I have not spoken on this matter before.

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I know you would not. You have declared that. However, as you said you did not know, I could have pulled a fast one. I am not as keen as you think to have a microphone in front of me full-time. While I will support the Bill and I can see where the Minister of State is coming from, I am not fully in favour of it. I believe the concept is fine. I know it is a pilot project. I know...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I too am pleased the Bill has been introduced. My colleagues and I made this a very high priority, as did Fianna Fáil in the discussions for Government. It could not come too soon. It is well overdue. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. During the previous Dáil, the Technical Group, of which the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, and I were members, tabled a...

National Educational Psychological Service: Motion [Private Members] (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I compliment Deputy Thomas Byrne on tabling this important motion. The NEPS is drastically understaffed, with 95,543 primary and post-primary pupils across almost 400 schools without access to an assigned NEPS psychologist. This is shocking. There also is a serious shortage of special autism spectrum disorder, ASD, classes, at post-primary level. In Clonmel, Tipperary, there are two...

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Closures (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: They will not be there.

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Closures (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister of State is washing his hands of it now.

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Closures (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister of State is washing his hands of it. He should use some soap.

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Closures (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: Why does the Minister of State not wash his hands of it altogether on the way out?

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Closures (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: On a point of order, why is the Minister of State here then? This is ridiculous.

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Closures (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I am not upset. I just want to find out who is responsible.

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Closures (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: Why is he not here so?

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Closures (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister of State is not responsible, however.

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Closures (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: We can come back but the post offices cannot come back.

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Closures (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I know we are a week into the Lent but what the Minister of State is doing, blaming the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, is the greatest Pontius Pilate act I have ever witnessed. I had to deal with all the Departments involved and they dealt with our recent motion on this. We got the report from An Post. What does it do this week? It puts up the price of a stamp by 35% when sales of...

Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Closures (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue today. The Rural Independent Group recently tabled a Private Members' motion. We had consultation with the Departments of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Taoiseach. The motion was agreed and we were delighted. Everybody supported it here. In Monday's...

European Council Meeting: Statements (8 Mar 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I compliment Deputies Michael Healy-Rae and Haughey, as well as other members of the European affairs committee, who have done much work on the ground. While not a personal criticism of the Minister of State, Deputy Breen, that is work the Government should be doing. The Taoiseach referred to the last Council meeting which 27 member states attended without the UK Prime Minister, Theresa...