Results 11,841-11,860 of 20,738 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I refer to the recognition in the programme for Government of the role played by education in tackling disadvantage. Will the Tánaiste and Government commit to escalating the examination that is currently taking place in forming a list of new DEIS schools to be designated? I refer specifically to St. Joseph's primary school in Tipperary and its sister schools. I understand the...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: Nor did I. On a point of order-----

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I wish to ask about the ongoing situation in South Tipperary General Hospital and the general crisis in accident and emergency departments. South Tipperary General Hospital, formerly known as St. Joseph's and still called that in Clonmel, which the Minister, Deputy Harris, has visited, is a very old hospital. First, I wish to salute and pay tribute to the front-line staff - doctors and...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I am pleased to speak to the Bill. First, I convey my good wishes to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten. I wish him a speedy recovery. It was an awful trauma for himself and his wife, but I believe he is making a good recovery. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, will pass on my good wishes. I am appalled by this situation...

Tillage Farming: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I thought we were partners.

Tillage Farming: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I will confine myself to the issue of farming. It is the Deputies who know about farming who should confine themselves to the issue and who should look after farmers. The three Government Deputies present in the House were elected by people from rural areas but they will not support them. They went around, knocking on doors to get votes and support but when it was their turn to support the...

Tillage Farming: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: -----but only one garda for every 340 people.

Tillage Farming: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I accept that. I ask the Minister to pay up and look after the farmers.

Tillage Farming: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I also welcome the very dignified protest that took place outside Government Buildings and Agriculture House. I welcome the IFA president, Joe Healy, and the IFA national grain chairman, Liam Dunne, along with na daoine óga, na buachailí óga a bhí amuigh agus na mná freisin. The Minister should know this because he is a farmer, as is the Minister of State, Deputy...

Tillage Farming: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: Well said, Willie.

Tillage Farming: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: It is rubbish.

Tillage Farming: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: Deputy Daly should support them.

Tillage Farming: Motion [Private Members] (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: Deputy Daly should listen to the farmers.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: This is a very serious issue and we should not be fighting over it. The Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, should be careful for what he wishes. Christmas has gone and the turkeys have come home to roost, but he never knows what is coming. The Higgins and Herity reports are HSE spin. I am not castigating the people who produced the reports but what is important are the questions they...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: We are happy to give it to the Minister of State.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: I thank Deputy Mary Butler for tabling this matter, contacting all of us and organising it. I was glad to sign it. We do not know where we are. We need 24-7 cardiac and emergency care. The Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, agrees and is fighting very hard for it. I know how hard he has fought at Cabinet and with the Minister as well as during the talks on the programme for Government....

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: That is especially so with the difficulties the Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, has had, which are known in the public domain, and the pressure he has been put under at Cabinet. I thank the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, for being here to support his colleague in the Independent Alliance. The Minister for Health's honeymoon is well over now. He got an...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: It must be very important.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: So is the south east.

Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Jan 2017)

Mattie McGrath: Serious questions have to be asked about the effectiveness of oversight concerning both the assistance and benefit schemes operated by the Department of Social Protection. I received a reply which stated that between 2011 and 2016, €420 million was recovered by the Department due to overpayments. It also stated that cases of social welfare fraud totalling €53 million were...