Results 3,521-3,540 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Martin Mansergh: This Bill was first introduced by me to the Seanad on 7 July 2009 and subsequently passed all Stages. I indicated on more than one occasion that it might be the intention of the Minister for Finance to introduce an amendment on Committee Stage in the Dáil to permit changes to be made to the parliamentary allowances system, such as may be agreed between the Minister and the Commission of the...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I assure the Senator that it is not so in my case.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Senators for their contributions on the new provision that has been inserted into the legislation, with which the House dealt last week. The new section 3 is an enabling provision relating to the contingency where the Minister for Finance may decide to adopt a standard parliamentary allowance. A decision has not been made on the matter but I can confirm that discussions and...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am not in a position to say. In such matters I simply tend to concentrate on what I consider to be right for myself, without looking at other people whose situations may differ from mine. As for ministerial credit cards, I have such a credit card of which I make very little use. I use it for train fares to official functions or if I am obliged to stay overnight in a hotel somewhere. I...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Martin Mansergh: A well known and popular Deputy from the city of Dublin told me an anecdote recently about a woman who complained to him regarding his failure to attend a constituency meeting on a Wednesday night. He responded that unfortunately, he was unable to get out as he was in the Dáil, to which the reply came that his constituents had not elected him to be in the Dáil.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Martin Mansergh: It has a certain grain of truth regarding public attitudes. However, and this also is true of my constituency colleague from my own party, I simply make it clear that I cannot attend constituency functions on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings as one is obliged to be present in Leinster House.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Yes I am. He had one of the best records for attendance at votes. As I am an officeholder, I sometimes am obliged to be paired to facilitate attendance at meetings. As for the point on arranging meetings, one cannot determine when an EU meeting or an OECD meeting will take place. As it may well be when the Dáil and Seanad are sitting, one must be realistic in that regard. I certainly...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I take the points that have been made in this debate. However, my experience of both Houses leads me to suggest that if one leaves aside illness, which can prevent people from attending the Houses, and if one leaves aside pairs for important business, which do not always involve officeholders, all Members could think of a small minority of Members who, for one reason or another, do not...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Does the Senator consider Wexford to be within striking distance?

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this critical debate on the establishment of the National Asset Management Agency, which has caused the early return of the Dáil. The NAMA initiative must be set against a background of ongoing pressure on the public finances and continued uncertainty in the financial sector. The Government will continue to take decisive and coherent action to...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: -----it is clear to me that NAMA is the major political battleground this autumn, or certainly will be until we get close to budget time. The Opposition needs to, and has, put forward plausible alternative solutions which justifies its opposing the Government's scheme. I would do credit to the sense and patriotism of both Fine Gael and the Labour Party in saying that were they to find...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am talking about even before the legislation is passed. My belief is an alternative Government would take over and say, in effect, "We can operate this system because we can be trusted, but of course Fianna Fáil could not be." The Minister pointed out that it was likely there would be institutions in need of additional capital in order that they could absorb the losses arising from the...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: There is a constant reiteration of the mantra-----

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am sure the Deputy will have an opportunity to reply to me in a few minutes-----

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: -----and I shall listen to him in silence.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The mantra is being repeated in the belief that as many people as possible will believe NAMA represents a bailout for borrowers and developers. Such is not the case. NAMA is only in place because a functioning banking system is vital to our economic future. It is not a bailout for anyone. A developer whose bank loan is purchased by NAMA will have to repay NAMA just as he or she would have...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The telecommunications mast at Cahir Garda Station was recently replaced by a structurally stronger tower to facilitate the roll out of the NDRS (National Digital Radio Service) to provide an improved telecommunications system for An Garda Síochána. There are nine antennae located on the new mast, five of which are Garda Síochána antennae, as on the original mast. Four additional...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: OPW has had a contractual relationship with the company referred to by the Deputy on a number of occasions in the past. The Commissioners of Public Works have no formal knowledge of contractual arrangements , which may exist between a Main Contractor of a project and its sub-contractors. Payment to sub-contractors is the responsibility of a Main Contractor.

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: It has been the practice for many years in the public sector to utilise energy saving lighting. It is not possible to give a precise number or percentage of energy saving light fittings for any particular Department. Fluorescent lighting is used for internal lighting in all Government Department buildings, except in the most unusual circumstances. Such circumstances are due to technical or...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Sep 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The rent paid to date in respect of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food office at Raheen Business Park, Limerick since the commencement of the lease on 1 May 2005 is €1,556,703.67. Service charges in the amount of €147,319.24 have also been paid in respect of these premises.