Results 12,981-13,000 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Budgets (26 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: 1602. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there will be an underspend in her Department's current or capital budget for 2017; if so, the subheads that are now below profile and those that may come in below profile at the end of the calendar year; if underspends in her Department will be available to the central Exchequer at year end; and if she will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Departmental Staff Data (26 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: 1601. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff in her Department that are suspended from work on full pay; the reason in each case; the time in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36736/17]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Protected Disclosures Data (26 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: 1603. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of protected disclosures received from staff in her Department in 2016 and to date in 2017; the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36768/17]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Tree Remediation (26 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: 1652. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the statutory powers local authorities have in a situation in which a private homeowner is genuinely concerned that trees growing on a neighbour's property are dangerous; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35750/17]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Budgets (26 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: 1719. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there will be an underspend in his Department's current or capital budget for 2017; if so, the subheads that are now below profile and those that may come in below profile at the end of the calendar year; if underspends in his Department will be available to the central exchequer at year end; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Staff Data (26 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: 1718. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of staff in his Department who are suspended from work on full pay; the reason in each case; the length of time in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36729/17]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Protected Disclosures Data (26 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: 1720. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of protected disclosures received from staff in his Department in 2016 and to date in 2017; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36761/17]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Data (26 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: 1754. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of staff in his Department who are suspended from work on full pay; the reason in each case; the length of time in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36727/17]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Budgets (26 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: 1755. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there will be an underspend in his Department's current or capital budget for 2017; if so, the subheads that are now below profile and those that may come in below profile at the end of the calendar year; if underspends in his Department will be available to the central Exchequer at year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Protected Disclosures Data (26 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: 1756. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of protected disclosures received from staff in his Department in 2016 and to date in 2017; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36759/17]

Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: On behalf of Fianna Fáil, I welcome the passage of this legislation. From our point of view, the key issue from a consumer perspective is the six-year rule. The reality is many consumers have been denied recourse to the Ombudsman because of the constraints imposed by that six-year rule. It is a vital reform and I hope this or the Sinn Féin legislation can be enacted without...

Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: From the Seanad (14 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: I put on the record our support for the legislation and commend Deputy Doherty. This Bill has been in the making for quite some time. There was also a Fianna Fáil Private Members' Bill which we withdrew because there were essentially three Bills proposing to do the same thing. It is very fine work by Deputy Doherty and his staff and team. I commend them on that work and acknowledge...

Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: I wish to speak in support of this group of amendments. The range of findings that will now be available to the ombudsman's office represents a positive development. Some of the issues are nuanced but I believe it is progressive. It is critical that we avoid any mismatch, as I indicated earlier in the course of this Bill, between the Government legislation and the Sinn Féin...

Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: I welcome the amendment. We all accept that, where possible, it is preferable for disputes to be resolved by mediation. We should bear in mind that all of the cases that go before the ombudsman's office have already been the subject of an internal complaints procedure within the financial institution concerned and it has not been possible to resolve the issue. Where possible, mediation...

Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: The Fianna Fáil Party supports the amendment. On a more general issue, is it the Government's objective to have all Stages passed in the Seanad next week and have the Bill enacted within one or two weeks? Is that the overall plan for having these key reforms introduced?

Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Referral to Select Committee [Private Members] (13 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice and Equality pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 141.

Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: Last evening, the House debated the Fianna Fáil's Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017, on which the House, when we vote shortly, will have its say. I know the Government is opposing this Private Members' Bill. There were two notable aspects to last night's debate. The only two speakers on the Government side were Ministers; no Government backbencher contributed....

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: In the summer economic statement, published by the Government yesterday, the Government has placed an increased emphasis on capital investment. I believe there is a clear consensus across the House that there is a need to increase investment in the economy. This year we will probably spend approximately €4.5 billion from direct Exchequer funding on capital investment, which is pretty...

Leaders' Questions (13 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Tánaiste. My core point is that direct Exchequer funding of capital investment needs to be ambitiously complemented by additional investment through public private partnerships and the role of the strategic investment fund. Instead of looking at the fund with a view to putting it into the rainy day fund, the Government needs to ensure that the transition of the fund into...

Summer Economic Statement 2017: Statements (13 Jul 2017)

Michael McGrath: I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to this debate this morning. I welcome the fact that we now have a summer economic statement, which is only a recent development. The introduction of the summer economic statement is one of the reforms to the budgetary process that has occurred. From the point of view of Parliament's engagement with the budget process, the delay in setting...