Results 101-120 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (18 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: The Working Group, established by Government, to develop a structured and coherent approach to the further management and development of the former Irish ISPAT site at Haulbowline, County Cork, met on four occasions in 2010. The dates of these meetings were as follows: 5 April, 31 May, 4 November & 16 December. In addition to these meetings, the Chair, on behalf of the Working Group, met...

State Asset Privatisation (13 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: The Deputy has raised an issue arising from the memorandum of understanding on the financial assistance programme for Ireland recently agreed between the Government and the IMF and the EU Commission in liaison with the ECB. The memorandum provides inter alia that, building on the report of the McCarthy group on State assets, an independent assessment of Ireland's electricity and gas sectors...

Regional Airports (13 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: I am replying to this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey. I thank the Deputy for raising it. Having fully considered the conclusions and recommendations of the value for money review of Exchequer expenditure on regional airports, the Government has agreed to support the continuation of a public service obligation, PSO, route between Donegal and Dublin and...

Water Utilities: Motion (13 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to share time with Deputies Margaret Conlon, Michael P. Kitt, Paul Gogarty, Mary White, Timmy Dooley and Charlie O'Connor. The latest cold spell, which was unprecedented in recent times, caused disruption in water supplies in many households, at any rate to some degree. South of the Border the problem was handled by local authorities whereas north of the Border it was handled by the...

Water Utilities: Motion (13 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: That is not particularly satisfactory and needs to be examined. Focused investment is needed. The disadvantage of water and wastewater treatment is that the product is largely unseen or taken for granted by the public except when difficulties arise. Investment in these matters has always been regarded as relatively politically unrewarding. Priority needs to be given to this matter and I...

Flood Relief (12 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: A national programme of catchment flood risk assessment and management studies, CFRAMs, which will lead to the development of comprehensive flood risk assessment and management plans for areas of significant flood risk, is being rolled out by the Office of Public Works. The appointment of consultants to undertake catchment-based flood risk assessment and management studies for the River...

Flood Relief (12 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: The summer flooding of the Shannon Callows between Portumna and Athlone will be specifically examined in this study to reflect the social and environmental damage it causes in the catchment. In general, this summer flooding arises from the restricted capacity of the River Shannon at this location. Flooding can occur as a result of large flows from the River Suck, the Upper Shannon from...

Flood Relief (12 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: It is making very good progress.

Flood Relief (12 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: Yes. With regard to the flood relief scheme in Templemore, I am glad to say it is making good progress. As it is a larger scheme, it has had to go through different processes of inquiry, but money has been provided in our flood budget for the scheme to commence this year.

Flood Relief (12 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: As a fellow Tipperary man, I am naturally very pleased about that. The minor relief works along the Shannon in the vicinity of the Callows area can be done by any of the authorities in the area, supervised by the Office of Public Works, and of course we also have a direct labour force. We are not talking about draining the Callows, which is an environmentally sensitive area. It would be...

Flood Relief (12 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: It is already in the budget and we are ensuring that it will happen.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (12 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 140 together. The Working Group, established by Government, to develop a structured and coherent approach to the further management and development of the former Irish ISPAT site at Haulbowline, County Cork, has met on a number of occasions in 2010. The report outlining the Working Group's recommendations is currently being finalised. This report will...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (12 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: Similar to many roads throughout the country, the recent extreme weather has taken a further heavy toll on the main road in the Phoenix Park with an increase in the number of potholes in the road surface. Since the holidays, seven tonnes of filler has been used to repair potholes on an emergency basis. The OPW has been examining options for a permanent solution to this problem. A number of...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (12 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: The Fourth Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment Heritage and Local Government – The Management of Severe Weather Events in Ireland and related matters was published in July 2010. This report made a number of recommendations which included the provision of flood early warning systems, a matter relevant to the remit of OPW. Prior to the publication of the report of the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 Jan 2011)

Martin Mansergh: All buildings acquired by the Office of Public Works for the Government's decentralisation programme are utilised and are not surplus to requirements. The Office of Public Works secured sites, which have yet to be developed, in nine locations to provide accommodation for decentralising Departments/Offices. The development of these locations will be the subject of a Government review of the...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Bill 2010: Second Stage (16 Dec 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I thank all the Senators who contributed to what I consider to have been a really good debate. I have had the benefit of sitting through the debates in both Houses. If any issue arises in the term of the next Oireachtas on the need for and future of the Seanad and I am in a position to participate, I will certainly cite my experience of the economic debates in this House. Let me reply to...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Bill 2010: Second Stage (16 Dec 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Can I defend my party colleagues in this House? They contribute a great deal to debates. The Minister has given a particularly authoritative presentation and my understanding is that he will be here for most, if not all, of Committee Stage. That will happen a little bit earlier than might have been anticipated. I wish to make a few general points and then to deal with the specific points...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Bill 2010: Second Stage (16 Dec 2010)

Martin Mansergh: We have gone to the opposite extreme. If one wanted to build a Luas line or something two, three, four or five years ago, a strip of land the length of the Chamber would have cost €2 million or €3 million.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Bill 2010: Second Stage (16 Dec 2010)

Martin Mansergh: We may have gone from one extreme to another. To get out of our current situation, we must find a via media and bring some sense to what can be broadly called the compensation culture. Senator O'Toole has been involved with the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB, which was created by excellent legislative work during the last Oireachtas, notwithstanding the fact that many members of...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (16 Dec 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Planning permission has been obtained to convert the former Allied Irish Banks branch building in Blanchardstown for use as a Driving Test Centre and this is a development option when funding becomes available. In this regard this building is also being assessed as to its suitability for use on other State requirements. Ongoing maintenance costs (electricity) are of the order of €4,750.00...