Results 3,781-3,800 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The second option is that we could abdicate altogether, default on our debts and let the IMF come in. The third option, advocated by Senators Quinn and Walsh, is that the Government could go in far harder. The suggestion was that it was not a figure of €4 billion that was required but €5 billion, €8 billion or another figure. The fourth alternative is for the Government to put much...

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Oversimplified caricatures are being painted of past events. I agree with Senator Twomey that we should use GNP as a gauge and made sure such a reference was inserted in my contribution. I also agree with Senator MacSharry that one of our main aims must be to try to secure as many as possible of the underlying gains made since 1987. We will have to take one or more steps back in order to...

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Yes. Nobody would be more delighted than me if a way could be found to achieve the cuts required in the public service pay bill on a consensual basis. That would be wonderful. I appreciate this is a slight diversion, but Senator Norris tends to divert from some of the main points.

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: He talked about the departure of a number of senior public servants. I attended the farewell dinner for the president of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors last week. We would all like to be in a position to restore the Christmas bonus, but that is not realistic. The Senator also spoke about ODA for Uganda, but no decision has been made in that regard; only discussions have...

Flood Relief. (2 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Locations in a number of counties have been affected by serious flooding in recent weeks due to unprecedented rainfall. The impact on communities has been severe. Areas of south County Mayo, including Roundfort-Hollymount, also suffered badly from flooding in 2006. I thank the Deputy for giving me an opportunity to discuss in the House the serious flooding in the Roundfort-Hollymount area...

Flood Relief. (2 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Deputy Tom Hayes for raising this matter, which relates to the constituency we share. I visited Lagganstown, which was mentioned by the Deputy, last Saturday. I express my sympathy to those who have been affected by the recent flooding in many parts of the country, including County Tipperary. In September 2004, the Government confirmed that the Office of Public Works is the State's...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (2 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together. During the Summer, the OPW invited Local Authorities to apply for funding in respect of minor flood mitigation works that would be carried out by the Authorities in 2009, subject to specific economic and environmental criteria. No application was received from Kilkenny County Council in relation to Inistioge or from Carlow County Council...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (2 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I advised the Dáil last Tuesday that the OPW will shortly go to tender for consultants to carry out a strategic review to assess operational structures, costs and benefits of a National Flood Warning System. The purpose of undertaking a strategic review of options for Flood Forecasting and Warning (FF&W) is to: A) Examine the potential benefits that FF&W could achieve. B) Identify and...

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Minister for Transport remains committed to the earliest delivery of the western rail corridor. I have always been a great supporter of this project and attended a West on Track conference four or five years ago. I have been in touch in various capacities with campaigners such as Fr. Micheál Mac Gréil since the late 1970s when I had an involvement in energy policy. I am pleased to...

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Senator. However, this is only the first phase of reopening the corridor which runs as far as Claremorris. The immediate next step, following completion of phase 1, will be for larnród Éireann to undertake a detailed evaluation of phases 2 and 3 with a view to arriving at precise costs to undertake the works. Following this, the Minister for Transport will seek to progress...

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I presume the Senator is not asking me at a personal level. This forms part of an ambitious project between Limerick and Sligo but I do not think the Government has made a definite commitment in respect of the Sligo end. That may be a long-term ambition, although one or two Ministers may have made a commitment to it. I would be misleading the Senator in suggesting the Government as a whole...

Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2009: Motion (3 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the draft scheme entitled Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2009 a copy of which draft scheme was laid before Dáil Éireann on 30 November, 2009. As Deputies will be aware, the Minister for Finance signalled in the supplementary budget in April last the Government's intention to revisit and make technical adjustments...

Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2009: Motion (3 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: He is not.

Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2009: Motion (3 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am here to represent the Minister for Finance who, as the Deputy is well aware, is preparing a budget which is very important.

Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2009: Motion (3 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: It is entirely appropriate that he be represented here by myself.

Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2009: Motion (3 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: He is preparing his budget.

Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2009: Motion (3 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Relating to budgetary matters.

Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2009: Motion (3 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I do deal with finance. Excuse me, I am the Minister of State at the Department of Finance.

Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2009: Motion (3 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I took some of the NAMA legislation, so I can take this too.

Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2009: Motion (3 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Deputy will have a vote on that.