Results 161-180 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I did not say it was appalling. I criticised the people who keep saying it is appalling.

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I agree.

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Not without qualification.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I support Senator Ó Murchú's call for a review of the new guidelines for the Revenue Commissioners and their implications for the bean an tí. As a former member of the tax strategy group, I am surprised at the move. I also support the calls from the other side of the House for clarification on the issue of neutrality. There is nothing incompatible between neutrality and support for...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Crime Levels. (19 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Attacks on churches of all denominations are a growing problem. Over the past week to ten days the media have reported attacks at Glasnevin cemetery, at Leamlara, Dungourney and Inch churches in east Cork, at Mellifont, County Kildare, and at Fethard, Moyglass, Lisronagh and Mullinahone in Tipperary. This is a frightening list. Churches are still places of great importance to which the vast...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It happens for the European Parliament elections.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: This House should try to avoid preliminary debates on legislation which we will have ample time to debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I question the argument made by the Leader of the Opposition that Members must oppose something until the advice of the Attorney General is made available to the House. When Deputy John Bruton was Taoiseach, he vigorously defended, on many occasions, the point that the Attorney General is the legal adviser to the Government and that his or her legal advice is not published. As the advice of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: —given that the abolition of the dual mandate in the case of the European Parliament has not been found unconstitutional. I cannot see what the issue is.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Not quite.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I support the legislation. It is a major reform which will have far-reaching beneficial consequences for the work of the Oireachtas. Elected Members will put their energies into their Oireachtas work and will act as the interface between their constituency and central Government. I find the constitutional arguments against the Bill unconvincing. They could equally be applied in arguing that...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I expressed surprise earlier that the self-professed parties of reform such as Fine Gael and the Labour Party were opposed to the ending of the dual mandate. I am afraid that on this occasion they are what the Labour Party is pleased to call "the conservative parties". I do not wish to conduct a seminar on the political philosophy of Garret Fitzgerald, but his excellent book Reflections on...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Rubbish.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Taoiseach never lectures.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It is a short guillotine.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Deputy Michael Ring, perhaps.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to share my time with the Leader of the House. I would be grateful if you could inform me when my 15 minutes are up.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Senator Higgins can never be accused of understating his case. His speech went out with a bang. I welcomed the Minister, and now the Minister of State, to the House. This is an important Bill and it is a compliment to the House, not an insult, that it is being taken soon after publication. I do not know how often the case is made here that we should debate matters immediately, if not the day...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Next, there was a move to freedom of information. I recall that, on the day he was elected leader of Fianna Fáil, Mr. Albert Reynolds used a phrase about letting in the light. As an adviser to Mr. Reynolds, I recall encouraging him to make a commitment to freedom of information legislation. He did so and it was subsequently incorporated in the programme for Government of the Fianna...