Mattie McGrath

There are serious concerns about fraud in recent High Court proceedings about unusual ownership structures such as a case involving two identically named companies, Dildar Limited, one of which is registered offshore, which may indicate attempts to circumvent liabilities to NAMA, and the Tánaiste is saying that he does not have responsibility.

Somebody has to have responsibility when NAMA is wound up. We cannot just fold it up and put it on a shelf and say, "Great job done". NAMA did some good work but there was obvious wrongdoing and fraud in the cases I mentioned including the Nemo Rangers lands in Cork and worse in Clomnel town with the Clonmel Arms Hotel, which I have raised here, and now the Clonmel Park Hotel and Mr. John Fraher. …

The Tánaiste said that NAMA is satisfied. Well I am not satisfied and I will not stop at this. I have gone to the Garda. They do not seem to be interested either so it is a funny situation.

The spirit of Christmas.

I too welcome many aspects of this legislation. It is very important that the Minister is making efforts in many areas, but we have a lot of strange things happening as well. Like Deputy Healy-Rae, I want to ask about the granny flats and modular units in the back garden. I will again mention Seán Meehan who is being prosecuted. He is being dragged through the courts for having his own little mobi…

When St. Brigid's Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir was closed, the people of Carrick-on-Suir were shocked. They were also promised that a primary care centre would become a hub for chronic disease management. A centre of excellence was promised. Instead, we are now seeing the removal of vital services like the diabetic clinic and the cardiology care from the primary care centre, all because of reports …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I thank him for explaining his departure at around 3.30 p.m. We understand the committee is on as well. Bogaimid ar aghaidh le Sinn Féin anois.

Gabh mo leithscéal, Deputy. Just be careful with naming specific companies.

They are not here to defend themselves.

I was listening to the Minister when he delivered his speech earlier. I was in the Chair and I listened to him and heard what he said. The problem is that the Government has given up on ordinary families, totally and absolutely. The multinationals and oil companies are gouging the people. Every party in this House voted for carbon tax. Sinn Féin wanted more carbon tax a few years ago. The Rural In…

I am glad to be able to speak tonight. I welcome the proactivity of the Minister, Deputy Browne, and his junior Minister from Port Láirge. Is the Minister going to extend the situation whereby commercial properties can be used for housing without planning permission? That is so important. Is he going to do something about backyard developments behind houses, which are not mentioned this plan at a…

Is Santa Claus coming?

Is Santy coming early or something?

Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an gCeann Comhairle as ucht na saincheiste seo a ghlacadh. I am delighted that the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, is here because I know that he is an understanding man who travels rural roads every hour of every day of the year. He knows how important this project is. He travelled on this road recently on his visit to Cahir. …

From a road safety perspective, the situation is stark. The 65 km stretch, which is through Tipperary, is 1% of the county's road network yet accounts for 25% of road fatalities, which the Minister of State will agree is an alarming and unacceptable statistic. The proposed route bypasses Mooncoin and Carrick-on-Suir and provides a flyover for Kilsheelan, yet it inexplicably continues through the …

I welcome all the whistleblowers and their friends in the Public Gallery. I am supporting this motion. We all remember former Sergeant Maurice McCabe who exposed corruption and malpractice within An Garda Síochána, and the treatment he faced as a result. It led to the disclosures tribunal. On the recent protected disclosures Deputy Toole mentioned, I also raised these here in this House, including…

I am glad to be able to speak today. I thank both Ministers for the funding for Horse Racing Ireland and the greyhound industry. It is money that is well spent on something embedded in the rural communities and urban communities. From listening to the debate, you would think that greyhound tracks were something awful. Greyhound tracks in Clonmel and Thurles host fund-raisers for many clubs, school…

They have a vindictive issue to try to stop jobs in rural Ireland and destroy families who look after their animals. I do not ever support any cruelty to animals. I was reared with animals, so we understand that too well. The people who are here are all for abortion. They want abortion up to nine months, full gestation-----

-----and they want to save the greyhounds and save the hares.

The coursing festival will start again in February in Clonmel and beidh fíorfháilte roimh na Teachtaí go léir. They will all be welcome to come to the coursing. There will be thousands from all over England, Northern Ireland and Ireland for a wonderful weekend and a huge investment in Clonmel.

I, too, am glad to speak on this issue. It is timely that we have a debate on it. As we know, the migration pact has been signed and there was no debate. For the last five years, certainly over the last three years since the war broke out in Ukraine, and with the other issues all over the world, we could not have a debate here. I stood up at meeting after meeting of the Business Committee for a ye…

I thank An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, Deputy Quaide, for his forbearance and allowing me to speak. I am very disappointed the Taoiseach is not here because this is a huge Vote and a huge amount of funding. There are many different aspects to it, in particular it deals with NAMA and Project Eagle, as was mentioned. There is also funding for the Moriarty tribunal, for which we are paying 30 years late…

Let the Minister of State answer.

Chair?

I am delighted to speak on this Bill. Indeed, I was in the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach's chair when the Minister of State was speaking. I always listen to the Minister of State's speeches and learn from them and take them for she is succinct and to the point and not afraid to call a spade a spade. There are many aspects to this Bill but the thrust of it, I suppose, is that we are enabling and puttin…