Results 16,261-16,280 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (13 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: 76. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the planned flood relief scheme in Cork city; an estimate of the timeline for its delivery; the level of funding that has been committed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35614/15]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (13 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: 77. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the feasibility study proposed by the Office of Public Works for the Carrigaline area in County Cork, including Ballinhassig, using the existing outputs from the Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study; if flood relief works are proposed for Ballinhassig, arising from this study; and if he...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Staff Data (8 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: 65. To ask the Minister for Finance the payroll savings to the National Asset Management Agency in 2016 from the voluntary redundancy of the 51 staff accepted to date; the redundancy pay-out to the 51 staff; the salary bracket of those departing under €100,000; from €100,001 to €200,000; €200,001 to €300,000; €300,000 plus; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (8 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: 221. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is concerned that retail gas prices for consumers have not come down in line with wholesale gas prices internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34976/15]

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance (Tax Appeals) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: I have a different view from that of Deputy Pearse Doherty on this matter. We held hearings during the pre-legislative scrutiny phase when different views were expressed by members of the committee, practitioners and other stakeholders. From my point of view, it is a fundamental right of taxpayers to have their cases heard in private, if they so wish. The offices of the appeal...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance (Tax Appeals) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 20:In page 39, line 6, after "to" to insert "the Circuit Court or". This group of amendments, and certainly my own amendments, relate to the major outstanding issue in the Bill as I see it. I refer to the removal of the right to appeal a decision of the appeals commissioners to the Circuit Court. This issue was considered in some detail during the pre-legislative...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance (Tax Appeals) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: We are not going to reach agreement on this. I do not believe the argument from the Minister of State is strong enough to change a system that has been in place for up to 50 years. The reality is that the costs involved in going to the High Court are higher than those for the Circuit Court, although we can argue about the figures. The main point running through the Minister of State's...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance (Tax Appeals) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 21:In page 39, line 14, after "to" to insert "the Circuit Court and/or". I will withdraw this and reconsider submitting it on Report Stage.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance (Tax Appeals) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 23:In page 41, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following:"(5) A report shall subsequently be amended by the Appeal Commissioners to state the result of any appeal to the Circuit Court or the High Court arising out of the determination, together with the result of any subsequent appeal from such a decision of the High Court to the Court of Appeal.". This is somewhat...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance (Tax Appeals) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister of State. At least that would provide some link for a person viewing the details of the determination and lead them to look to the High Court or Circuit Court decision under the present system. My essential point is that if somebody is looking at determinations by the appeal commissioners in a public forum online, they should be able to see the full picture, as the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance (Tax Appeals) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: I am not supporting that because it means the subsequent amendments relating to the Circuit Court cannot be moved. It is therefore not agreed to.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Farm Assist Scheme (7 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: 60. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the funding under the farm assist programme in each year from 2010 to 2014; the projected expenditure in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34918/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Expenditure (7 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: 195. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government The funding under the Leader programme in each year from 2010 to 2014; the projected expenditure in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34916/15]

Corporate Tax Policy: Motion [Private Members] (6 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: I welcome the opportunity to speak in this important debate and thank Deputies Maureen O'Sullivan, Joan Collins, Boyd Barrett and their colleagues for tabling this motion. While I agree with much of what is contained in this motion, Fianna Fáil cannot support it for a number of reasons. On reading through the motion that has been tabled, there is an implicit criticism of Ireland's...

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: 134. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address the substandard accommodation at a school (details supplied) in County Cork; if her Department plans to consolidate the infant school within the same site as the remainder of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33942/15]

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: I would like to raise an issue relating to a boys national school, Scoil Mhuire Lourdes, in Carrigaline. I acknowledge that there has been and is going to be a great deal of further investment in the education network in Carrigaline. Scoil Mhuire Lourdes, which is one of the oldest schools in Carrigaline, is split across two campuses. The junior and senior infant classes are on one site in...

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister of State. As he has said, the amalgamation option is now off the table because there has not been full agreement.

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: The situation is unsatisfactory, not least because the school is based across two sites. Approximately 100 children between the ages of four and six are on one site. They cannot avail of many of the facilities on the second site because they cannot safely walk to that site. The school has opened a new ASD unit, which is on the site with the junior and senior infants. It is not ideal from...

Other Questions: School Accommodation (6 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: Can this project be considered as part of the forthcoming capital programme, which is due to be announced? The school authorities, board of management, parents and staff all want the school to be consolidated on a single site. The main site on the Ballea Road has the capacity to accommodate that. That is what those involved with the school want. That would include the new ASD classrooms...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (6 Oct 2015)

Michael McGrath: 159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the promised delivery of two new prefabricated units at a school (details supplied) in County Cork to properly cater for the junior infants intake for the 2015-2016 school year; the steps being taken to provide further temporary accommodation for the planned intake of two junior infant classes for the 2016-2017 school year;...