Results 13,621-13,640 of 20,731 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: Nach maith an fear é an Aire. Was he in Tiobraid Árann? He is welcome to the Tipperary-Offaly border anytime, but the accountable place is here. He should not be quoting what Fergus Finlay writes in The Irish Times. He is the accountable line Minister. Fergus Finlay is not a Minister although at times one would think he was when he is pontificating and when is promoted to this...

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: It was the Minister who brought up his name.

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister brought his name into the equation.

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: If I caused any offence by mentioning his name, I withdraw it.

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: However, the Minister should withdraw his reference to him and his letter inThe Irish Times. It would be better for the Minister to do his job as Minister instead of readingThe Irish Times and the letters by Fergus Finlay and all his other supporters and cheerleaders promoting him and other people as well. Noel Whelan is another pundit. Should I say Mr. Whelan or maybe I should not mention...

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: A pundit on RTE recently said that Catholic agencies that would not tow the line on the Government referendum would have funding cut. I did not see any more. That was on prime time television. I watched it. Bhí mé ag éisteacht agus ag féachaint-----

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: ---- and it was loud and clear. That is what is going on.

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: I can tell Deputy Wallace that I watch very little television. This is an outrageous cut, given it is four and a half months late. The other organisations are also trying to plan their year. The Minister said that Tusla will cut back on overlaps and everything else. It will and it is spending the money well and doing some wonderful work. This is true of other agencies as well....

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister seems to be as lost in this Department as he was in the last one. It is very disappointing and disquieting. I am glad that the Minister made it from the Seanad to this House to reply but he might as well have stayed there because he did not answer any of the questions.

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: They all saw and heard what the Minister told them in October.

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: Where did it come from? Why the cuts?

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: I am able to add two and two.

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: Provided they vote the right way.

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Paudie Coffey, for attending to take this matter. While he is a colleague from a neighbouring constituency and a good friend, I am disappointed the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is not here. An alarming and savage blow was announced yesterday morning when Tusla, the Child...

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted. Will I start again?

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: I am in the Chair's hands.

Topical Issue Debate: Funding for ACCORD (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: I welcome the Minister. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, informed ACCORD, the Catholic Marriage and Preparation Counselling Service, that €378,000 was being withdrawn from its funding for 2015. Bizarrely, the Tusla letter informed ACCORD that its decision to cut the funding is retrospective and took effect from 1 January 2015, notwithstanding that the letter is dated 7 May 2015....

Order of Business (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: I again ask that you check the records regarding the Whip's comments.

Order of Business (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: I wish to raise two items. In regard to the electoral commission Bill, I ask the Tánaiste if she is aware, as I am sure she is, that the Labour Party has hundreds of posters up without proper identification.

Order of Business (14 May 2015)

Mattie McGrath: It arises under the electoral commission Bill. Somebody has to control this. If there are rules they have to be observed by all people and all practitioners of politics. There is no identification on hundreds of the posters as regards where they are printed or published. Under the Regulation of Lobbying Bill what will the Government do to reign in the outrageous lobbying and funding by...