Results 321-340 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: We are talking about areas of activity that have benefited tremendously from the vision of 30 years ago which led to the building up of an industry. Income tax is not the sole tax paid. Many indirect taxes are paid. While I have to declare an interest because I was nominated by the Irish Thorougbred Breeders Association, I have held my current view for some years. Senator McDowell may laugh...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It is because they are too valuable.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The rate referred to by the Senator relates to just one month's figures.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator should catch a plane.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I did not say that.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I did.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: That is true.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Perhaps it is trying to collect tax.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: That is not the case.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: There are demographic factors.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Lest it be thought that everyone disapproves of this new cover for the Order Paper, I find it very neat.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I think neatness and tidiness have their place in our proceedings.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Members of this House, regardless of how long they have been here, have the same rights as long-standing Members. I have exercised as much responsibility over the years as Senator Norris, and I do not believe histrionics on a daily basis have anything to contribute to debate.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Senator McDowell has acknowledged that there is no difference in objective in terms of removing those on the minimum wage from the tax net. It is a priority in the new partnership agreement. The only question is how quickly it can be done. Tax levels on those on low incomes compare favourably with those pertaining in other European Union countries, although that is not an argument for not...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: As someone who, as the Minister said, worked in another capacity in Fianna Fáil, I enjoyed the visit down memory lane. It is one of the progressive measures in which I share a collective pride. I remember that during the general election campaign in 1997 the then Labour leader, Mr. Dick Spring, was dubious about the proposition, as the Labour Party was about social partnership ten years...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Not in one year.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: On a point of information, there was not a commitment in the manifesto to do it. There were few commitments as to what would be done in the first year. Any manifesto is a five year manifesto, particularly when one is coming into more difficult economic conditions. I am certain that no one gave the impression or said that it would be done in the December budget. If Senator Higgins can provide...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I largely agree with Senator McDowell. Some people are in a position, with regard to housing and other products, to manipulate markets and to withhold or increase supply. Unfortunately, the fact that people are able to do this is something a Minister must take into account when making his decisions.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I am on common ground with Senator McDowell. Indexation is a bad principle. I cannot believe that any Fine Gael Minister for Finance over the past 20 years would have accepted it or would accept it now. It removes some of the essential flexibility that a Minister needs in formulating a budget. In really good years one can exceed the requirements of indexation, which the Minister did over a...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I am not convinced. Will the principle of tax indexation be included in the next Fine Gael manifesto? Even so, would it be in the programme for Government?