Results 12,521-12,540 of 20,894 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Citizens' Assembly: Motion (13 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: I move amendment No. 6:To insert the following after “and vote in their own name”:“— each member of the citizens’ assembly must declare membership-affiliation of any organisation or group that has campaigned for the retention or the repeal of the eighth amendment of the Constitution;”

Citizens' Assembly: Motion (13 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: I did not interrupt or scoff at anyone. I have been freely elected by the people of Tipperary and I am as entitled as any other Deputy to have the protection of the Chair in expressing my views without being scoffed at. Some people have a one-track mind.

Citizens' Assembly: Motion (13 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: I am not lecturing anybody. I am simply observing that there is a constant clamour. It is as if nothing else was happening or we did not have a homelessness and housing crisis or people being evicted from their homes. Those are the most important issues facing us. An opinion poll carried out last May found that repealing the eighth amendment was far down the agenda when it came to the...

Citizens' Assembly: Motion (13 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: I am glad to be able to speak on this issue. I wish to refer to my amendment, although I may not move it yet. The idea of a citizens’ assembly that will be convened to remove the right to life from the Constitution, among other purposes, is utterly bizarre. A constitution ought to reflect and embody the finest principles of a nation. How does the idea of removing the eighth...

Citizens' Assembly: Motion (13 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: I did not see this addressed anywhere. I did not hear anybody say what they would substitute the existing wording with. Is there to be a free-for-all and an open-door policy? I certainly believe it is a matter for the Oireachtas and the people by way of a referendum on a constitutional amendment. There should be a fair, open debate without interference from abroad, as we had in some...

Au Pair Placement Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to welcome the Bill. It is vital that the au pair sector be protected and that the role of the au pair be given a legal definition. I compliment the proposer of the Bill, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, and hope the Bill passes through the Dáil. I do not believe the Workplace Relations Commission's ruling earlier this year was the correct one for this sector. That is my...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (13 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: We appreciate that.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (13 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: 28. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on measures to protect the pork farming sector from further income decline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21005/16]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Household Incomes (13 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: 74. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to address the income challenges facing hill farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21004/16]

Regulation of Charities: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: I move amendment No. 2:To insert the following after "concern for investigation":"— undertake, while the pursuit of greater transparency and accountability is a regulatory necessity, an effective impact analysis in order to avoid loading smaller community based/voluntary charities with punitive financial and administrative burdens."

Regulation of Charities: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: Ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle as a phost nua. I too am delighted to speak on this motion. Ireland has a proud and noble tradition of helping others. We are known as a nation of people who support others. It troubles me to see this naked plundering and pillaging of charitable organisations by a small cohort of greedy people. As the...

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (12 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: I am pleased to be able to speak to the amendment. It is interesting that the former Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, has left the Chamber. He and the previous Minister and now EU Commissioner, Phil Hogan, left us in a mess in setting up Irish Water, which I oppose fundamentally. However, I have huge difficulties with the amendment. We had a referendum on the Seanad and this seems to deny the...

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (12 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: Those people did not mind paying for it and were glad to get it. I salute the pioneers of the group schemes who went out and championed their own water, sought funding and paid to bring water services to their houses. They were very glad of it. There is a big debate about what the European Commission has said and that the Exchequer funds having to pay for it, which is what Deputy Alan...

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (12 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: I went to the water protest and was hunted by members of certain parties and I thank Deputy Adams for dealing with the treatment I received along with other councillors. It was the preserve of certain people who want to be anti everything and pro nothing.

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (12 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: They do not understand what it costs to treat water so that it is safe to drink and deliver it to households, but they want to make plenty of noise about it and cause mayhem. What happened to Deputy Joan Burton in west Dublin and the chicanery that went on with it was nothing but bullying and intimidation which I was also subjected to when I attended a march myself with colleagues from the...

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (12 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: -----in spite of being asked by dozens of older people, who have been paying for water all their lives, to attend. We have a charade here. I was in discussions on the programme for Government for a number of days and never mentioned water charges once. There were many other issues that we debated that were far more serious. We wanted to form a Government to ensure that people had one,...

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (12 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: We have a great deal to think about. I believe in paying one's fair share. I do not believe Irish Water should have been set up. It led to the creation of a monster. It was unnecessary because of the local authorities, God be good to them, and the private pioneers who found sources, developed water schemes and are still running them. They have to pay. Where is the fairness? We talk...

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Report Stage (12 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: He has gone to Europe now.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (12 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: 28. To ask the Minister for Health when he will complete improvements to radiology services at South Tipperary General Hospital; the investment cost of these improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20602/16]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services Provision (12 Jul 2016)

Mattie McGrath: 29. To ask the Minister for Health his assessment of mental health services in south Tipperary since the closure of St. Michael's psychiatric unit in Clonmel, County Tipperary; if he will consider re-opening this unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20603/16]