Results 16,521-16,540 of 20,934 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: What the Bill asks us to do, as legislators, is to set aside entirely the medical knowledge we have and to legislate instead in defiance of science, and explicitly to contradict the best medical practice in the absence of legal justification for legislation. I hope the Taoiseach read the transcripts. I know he had not time to attend the hearings as he has been all over Europe and elsewhere,...

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I put it to the Taoiseach that, for all his warm assurances, we can have absolutely no confidence that the State will act in the best interests of the unborn child-----

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: -----especially when the State has a litany of historical failures already existing regarding the lives of unborn children.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: From start to finish, this so-called debate has been a sham and a charade. Finally, we saw the Minister for Health last night on "Prime Time"-----

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I am finished. We saw him last night. My question is this. Will the Taoiseach listen to the people? Will he give a free vote? Will he not go to the country, ask the people for their opinion and allow the ultimate democracy?

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: It is a form of words.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: Guidelines.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: Why not give them the chance again? Third time lucky.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister, Deputy Reilly, could not answer as to what happens then.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: What about his campaign promise?

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Teachta Tom Hayes. I would like to compliment my colleague and thank the Taoiseach for appointing him to the high office of Minister of State. I look forward to working with him.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: That is from my heart.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: Last Saturday, an estimated 40,000 people attended a march in peaceful opposition to the proposed protection of life Bill 2013. They included people of all ages from all sections of society. They included people of all faiths and none. What they had in common was a peaceful determination to highlight the dangerous cultural shift that will inevitably take place if the Bill as it currently...

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: They also raised the issue of freedom of conscience and the need for the State to respect the principles of its citizens, including politicians, on the issue of abortion. It is not too late for the Taoiseach to take note of these concerns, which reflect the worries of a significant proportion of our population, including most mental health professionals. It is not too late for him to...

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I am nearly finished, a Cheann Comhairle. Does the Taoiseach understand why a growing number of people simply do not believe his repeated claim that this Bill is pro-life? Nothing could be further from the truth.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: In light of the mass demonstrations against this Bill that we are witnessing, does the Taoiseach accept that he is acting contrary not only to the best medical practice but also to the expressed wishes of the people who gave his party its mandate? They innocently believed he would stick to his pre-election promise not to introduce abortion.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I am not playing politics. I am speaking on behalf of people with sincerely held views.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: The Deputies can laugh if they like. I can tell them that this is no laughing matter. The right of the unborn is a basic human right. It is the most fundamental right of all.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: I am not sure if the Taoiseach really believes we have to legislate on foot of the X case. Perhaps he is trying to convince himself that we do. I am not sure.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2013)

Mattie McGrath: Either way, the Labour Party has certainly succeeded in moulding the Taoiseach in its image. That is a sad day for this country.