Results 1,621-1,640 of 20,846 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Confidence in the Minister for Justice: Motion (5 Dec 2023)

Mattie McGrath: First, our thoughts and prayers are with the young children and their carer and the whole school community of Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire. This was a terrible incident, but what happened in Dublin did not happen overnight. The Garda has been demoralised. We saw this when 99% of its members voted no confidence in the Commissioner. This did not all happen under the watch of the...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice: Motion (5 Dec 2023)

Mattie McGrath: The Government has neglected to resource and support the Garda. The force is under-resourced and morale was never as low. This is a pity because we do need to support the gardaí. We need them. There is a very thin line between anarchy and good living and what we need. I salute the gardaí who travelled long distances from all over the country last week, of their own volition,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Dec 2023)

Mattie McGrath: There are 12,157 children waiting on primary care appointments in community healthcare organisation, CHO 5, with 4,210 children waiting 12 months or more. These figures include: 1,533 children who are waiting for psychology services; 2,189 children waiting for occupational therapy; and 4,139 children waiting on speech and language therapy. I raise this continually with the Taoiseach and it...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Dec 2023)

Mattie McGrath: And the nitrates directive.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Dec 2023)

Mattie McGrath: I, too, ask for a debate on the nitrates directive and the change in those nitrates, as Deputy Healy-Rae did. The Government is being dishonest with farmers and unfair. Above all, we need honesty and certainty, as they do. The thought of slaughtering 40,000 in-calf cows and heifers is appalling, as is forcing farmers into that situation. The Taoiseach's party used to be the party that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (5 Dec 2023)

Mattie McGrath: 381. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the Success of the Mediation Act 2017; to outline any reviews of this legislation that have been carried out or if she intends to carry out any further reviews of the legislation; to outline what key performance indicators if any, have been met; what plans she has, if any, to further promote the role of mediation...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (5 Dec 2023)

Mattie McGrath: 510. To ask the Minister for Health if he has noted Sweden's smoking rate of 5.6%, which is lower than the EU average of 23%, while the country promotes alternatives to smoking such as vaping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53251/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (5 Dec 2023)

Mattie McGrath: 511. To ask the Minister for Health if the success of Sweden's approach to tobacco control, embracing alternatives to smoking like vaping, will be reflected in the plan for Tobacco Free Ireland 2025, instead of adopting the more restrictive and less successful approaches by countries like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, where the average smoking rate across the four countries is 24.75%,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (5 Dec 2023)

Mattie McGrath: 512. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the efficacy of Ireland's tobacco reduction strategy, considering Ireland's smoking rate has been 18% since 2019, while Sweden's is currently at 5.6%, as an example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53253/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (5 Dec 2023)

Mattie McGrath: 513. To ask the Minister for Health to provide details on the price of the licence and timeline of implementation of the licensing system contained in the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53255/23]

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Mattie McGrath: Yes.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Mattie McGrath: To be fair, I did not say they were not.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Mattie McGrath: It is a nuisance.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Mattie McGrath: He is from the Minister of State's party. He is a fine, decent man. We had many a sparring match. We went Sumo wrestling one night for a function. We had a good interaction there as well.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Mattie McGrath: It is related given the input and work of Councillor Fitzgerald on the county development plans over the decades.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Mattie McGrath: He is much bigger than me but I knocked him over, thank God, and I was able to handle him then when he was down. It is easy to climb a tall tree that is knocked over. Going back to the county development plans, I note the input and work that Councillor Fitzgerald put in. He was the whip of his party over the years. I wish him, his wife, Mary, and his family well on his retirement.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Mattie McGrath: He has given sterling service for 45 years.

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Mattie McGrath: Councillor Fitzgerald replaced his late dad on the council, so the service in the family goes back even longer. I wish his mum, who is in her 95th year, well too. I have minor concerns about the ten-year cycle for the development plans. It is very long. I know the plans can be amended but they seldom are and it is an arduous task. We will be submitting amendments on these issues....

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Mattie McGrath: I am disappointed with the Bill. The Bill has a massive volume but there are gaping discrepancies in it. With regard to rural housing, the rural planning guidelines introduced in 2005 have proved excessively restrictive, especially with regard to the urban influence. They are obstructing young families from realising their dream of building a house on their own land and in their own...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (30 Nov 2023)

Mattie McGrath: It is Limerick Junction but it is known as Tipperary Racecourse now. It has a great board, team and supporters club. They put together a massive €40 million development plan. There was a house for the race manager fadó fadó. He is long gone and the current occupants of the house have lodged a complaint to An Bord Pleanála. They have put in an objection. That was...