Results 18,581-18,600 of 20,768 for speaker:Mattie McGrath

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: Of course I am. I am happy the way I am. This is not going to save money. As he cannot decide on a central headquarters he has decided to have two headquarters. It is a cop-out and a farce and it will not save any money. He announced in his local newspaper that he spent €1 million on hanging offices for Kilkenny County Council over the top of the Ard Ri in Waterford. I have the...

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: He is not being allowed to go near the voters because of all the penal taxes he imposed on them. Why did he give €1 million to Kilkenny? No other Minister did that. Kilkenny County Council never had offices in Waterford city.

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: It is part of what is happening. That is why he called it a miscellaneous provisions Bill. He did not bring in the proper Bill because he it would expose him. I beg the Ceann Comhairle's indulgence. It makes a farce of his claims to be making savings. On 31 March it was reported in the newspaper that €1 million was being provided for offices in Waterford city for Kilkenny County...

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I am not listening. I will keep speaking because the Ceann Comhairle will look after me.

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I will listen to the Minister any day. The Minister's bully boy tactics are a shameful betrayal of his powers. He is embarrassing all town councils. That will not bring savings. Reform is needed but he should not come in here with these proposals I do not know how many years after he was last a Minister. He had to resign and then he came back and got another shot at it.

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: They are the facts.

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: Bí ciúin, I am speaking. Deputy Buttimer will have an opportunity to speak. The Minister is back in office and I meet his colleagues. He is a great man. He has water charges and septic tank charges. He has done the lot but everything was put on the back burner until the referendum is over. The people are not eejits.

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: The people know what is going on and they do not like it. The people of Carlow-Kilkenny do not like it either. Why can he open a competition for a dual manager for Limerick and possibly Waterford city and county while studiously avoiding the amalgamation of Carlow and Kilkenny, which was also recommended? It is blatant arrogance, nepotism and cronyism. He is blatantly looking after his...

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: When they retire he might appoint them to other positions. It is scandalous for retired officials to come down to Tipperary. I do not know where they are from. They might be good officials. I will not take that away from them but they know nothing about Tipperary. Where Tipperary leads, Ireland follows according to the old adage. Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach. The Minister should make...

Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: Go raibh maith agat. I too welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Second Stage debate on the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011. While I welcome the proposed amalgamation, we must ensure we protect what we have. We must not be afraid to amalgamate but must be careful how we move forward. On 27 July 2011, the chief executive designate of the QQAI,...

Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: On behalf of the Technical Group and the Independents, I support the motion. I welcome the fact that much progress has been made since the last extension was granted. The Minister indicated he would grant further time if necessary and I note the Minister suggests October as the completion date. It is a reasonable timeframe. According to the judge's letter, he has only one remaining...

Leaders' Questions (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: The spindoctors will have it.

Leaders' Questions (23 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: Maith an fear.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (22 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: Question 427: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a domiciliary care allowance application review in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25452/12]

Private Members' Business. Referendum (Amendment) (Varying Of Polling Day) Bill 2012 — First Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: Go back to the septic tanks, Phil.

Private Members' Business. Referendum (Amendment) (Varying Of Polling Day) Bill 2012 — First Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: The Minister has not been let out yet.

Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I concur with many of the sentiments expressed by previous speakers. I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak to the Bill and note its interesting Title. As a businessman, the Minister of State understands business. Deputy Peter Mathews worked in banking for years. Earlier in the week in Private Members' time we discussed legislation introduced by Deputy Michael McGrath which sought...

Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I am speaking to the Credit Guarantee Bill. Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. This is all relevant to the money we do not have. We are passing the Bill, and I welcome it, but I do not want to see it hijacked by the banks. They have hijacked everything else. That is why what I am saying is relevant. Instead of the €6 billion the two pillar banks are supposed to provide annually,...

British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly: Statements (17 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: I am delighted to speak about this important body. Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom comhgairdeas a ghabháil leis an gcathaoirleach, an Teachta Joe McHugh, and his co-chairman, Mr. Laurence Robertson, MP. In particular I commend Deputy Joe McHugh on the excellent manner in which he arranged and conducted this plenary session in Baile Átha Cliath. It was a show piece, and I thank the...

British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly: Statements (17 May 2012)

Mattie McGrath: In terms of the history, I was so proud when he mentioned that a Tipperary man bought those three buildings fadó, fadó and turned them into a hotel. The adage is still apt: where Tipperary leads, Ireland follows.