Results 221-240 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (2 Nov 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works (OPW) holds two leases on Park House, which are due to expire in 2013. The future of this property will be considered in the context of the overall rationalisation of office accommodation in Dublin.

Value-Added Tax Consolidation Bill 2010: Order for Second Stage (2 Nov 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Value-Added Tax Consolidation Bill 2010: Second Stage (2 Nov 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to introduce Second Stage of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Bill 2010, not least as a former member of the tax strategy group between 1997 and 2002. The Bill consolidates the law relating to VAT which is contained in the Value-Added Tax Act 1972, as amended. The VAT Act has been amended in almost every Finance Act since...

Value-Added Tax Consolidation Bill 2010: Second Stage (2 Nov 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Like all previous speakers I will not necessarily take up my full allocation. I thank Members on all sides of the House for their welcome and constructive response to this legislation, understanding that the detail has to be teased out in committee. As Deputy Crawford would be aware, it is the time of year those of us who might have some income from self-employment, in farming for example,...

Value-Added Tax Consolidation Bill 2010: Second Stage (2 Nov 2010)

Martin Mansergh: -----what we are primarily discussing. That has a relationship, and I made this point in my opening speech, to economic activity in different sectors. It is not just revenue raising, even if revenue raising is its principal purpose. Deputy Morgan and Deputy Crawford referred to cross-Border shopping, and I referred to that in my contribution. The Central Statistics Office published the...

Seanad: Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Four weeks ago on 30 September I addressed this House as my contribution to statements on the economy on a day that I described as being critical in our recent development. On that day, the Financial Regulator announced the total capital requirements for the restructured financial entities and the Minister for Finance issued a statement on the matter. The Minister stated that the overall...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (28 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works has agreed to fund a programme of flood alleviation works for the Dunkellin River from Craughwell to Kilcolgon and for the Aggard Stream and its tributaries up to Cregaclare. A Steering Group, consisting of personnel from the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Galway County Council (GCC) has been established to advance the scheme and the next Steering Group Meeting...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (28 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The tributary of the Derry River referred to by the Deputy does not form part of an Arterial Drainage Scheme which the Office of Public Works has a statutory duty to maintain, and the OPW is not aware that any other state body has a maintenance responsibility in relation to it. Responsibility for maintenance would therefore rest with the owners of property adjoining the river. The property...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (27 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The issue of a national flood warning system was raised with me by a number of public representatives during the severe flood event of November 2009. At that time I gave an undertaking that the OPW would examine the issue and bring forward recommendations. The issue was re-iterated in the Fourth Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment Heritage and Local Government –...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Policy: Public Procurement Policy (27 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The National Procurement Service (NPS) is currently engaged in a tender process for the procurement of Stationery and Office Supplies. This process is now at evaluation stage as the closing date for receipt of tenders was Tuesday 26 October 2010. No award has yet been made to any party. The NPS is anxious to support SMEs and to this end included the following text in the Request for tender...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (27 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The Commissioners of Public Works are currently negotiating the transfer of the property in question with the Department of Education and Skills. On completion of these negotiations, the legal formalities will be finalised.

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (27 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Basic interpretative facilities are provided on the Hill of Tara. Given the funding situation, there are no further plans, at present, for additional facilities at this site.

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (27 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Improvements are being made on an on-going basis as resources permit. Further progress has been made this year on the restoration of the Walled Gardens and associated structures. A children's playground would be a desirable additional amenity and plans have been advanced. It is hoped to apply to the Local Authority for the necessary planning permission in the near future.

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (27 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Tender documents are being prepared for the design and fabrication of interpretation panels for the National Monuments at Rathcroghan. The signs will be erected next year.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (27 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: In June of this year, the Office of Public Works agreed to fund works under the Minor Flood Works scheme for mitigation works in Ballinasloe. The allocations include €360,200 for works in the Derrymullen and Ashfield areas. The scheduling and progressing of these projects is a matter for Galway County Council. The OPW would not necessarily be aware of the total spent by Galway County...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (27 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: In July of this year the Office of Public Works commissioned consultants to undertake a review of the recommendations of the 1998 South Galway Flood Study report with the aim of developing proposals for specific flood alleviation measures that can be implemented subject to obtaining statutory consents and stakeholder agreement. It is expected that the consultant's review of the Study's...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (27 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The works referred to by the Deputy involved installation of a by-pass culvert under the public road and the backyard of a property in Abbey to alleviate flooding in the village. The works are almost complete and the cost to date is €86,700.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (27 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: In carrying out its role as lead agency for flood risk management, the Office of Public Works co-operates with other state bodies, particularly environmental stakeholders such as Inland Fisheries. The works referred to by the Deputy were carried out as part of a programme being undertaken by the OPW in conjunction with Inland Fisheries that aims to incorporate environmental river enhancement...

Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: At least we learned something from the last contribution, namely, that Labour Party Ministers would do without cars and drivers to drop them at meetings to do with the budget.

Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The purpose of this debate is to clarify the choices we have to make over the next four years and the fundamental reasons for them. There are, unfortunately, no relatively painless exits from the situation in which we find ourselves. To clear up one persistent misrepresentation, State underpinning of the banks, while adding tens of billions of euro to the national debt, is not a main...