Results 13,821-13,840 of 20,933 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

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

Mattie McGrath: I cannot hear the Minister.

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

Mattie McGrath: The Minister did not answer the questions. He did not refer to the €8 million that Tusla received from Atlantic Philanthropies. He did not respond to the fact that he said in October that he was giving €26 million extra to Tusla, yet here we are. He failed completely to address the situation. Tusla itself has stated the reason the cuts run out on 7 May is because the...

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.