The Parents Association of St. Vincent De Paul
Infants and Girls Schools
Griffith Avenue
Dublin 9

PRESS RELEASE

MCGRATH CALLS ON ALL INDEPENDENTS TO REJECT THE WELFARE CUTS

Deputy Finian Mcgrath has called on all Independent Deputies and Senators to unite and reject the cuts to the Blind, Elderly and Disabled.  He confirmed that he is voting against the Social Welfare Bill and rejects any cuts to the minimum wage.

DÁIL ÉIREANN
Sitting Time - 18:10
Sitting Date - 08/12/2010

^ BUDGET SPEECH ^

Deputy Finian McGrath:
I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, for providing me some speaking time.  I also thank the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, and the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, for sharing their time.  The true character of a democrat is to always allow Members of this House to air their views.  It is a pity some of the other political parties do not share my views on democratic rights, but that is a debate for another day.

Question No. 66
Parliamentary Question - Dept Details

To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support Amnesty International’s campaign for the Mothers’ of Soacha in Colombia in relation to extra judicial executions.- Finian McGrath.

DÁIL ÉIREANN

Sitting Time - 10:30
Sitting Date - 02/12/2010

Tributes to Head Usher of the Houses of the Oireachtas

Deputy Finian McGrath: On behalf of the Independent Members, I thank and commend Shay and Liam for their magnificent work and service over many years.  Since I was elected, I have found Shay friendly, warm, courteous and supportive and I concur with the comments about his support for new Members.  The standards and ethics of public servants like Liam and Shay should be acknowledged as well as the great service they provide, particularly in the current climate where there is a great deal of hostility towards public servants.  It is important to acknowledge people like them who have made a massive contribution to the running and efficiency of the Oireachtas.

A Technical Group is where a group of T.D.’s and Senators from different political positions come together to share speaking time. If you have 7 members you can get Leaders Questions, Priority Questions and powers to bring forward legislation.   It is NOT an alliance, coalition or coming together on policy matters.

It is a technical arrangement for speaking time.   Some Politician's and some media often try to misrepresent this like they did in the past with Finian’s human rights work.