Results 4,081-4,100 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: National Archives (20 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Another point which is totally under-estimated and to which digitisation may offer a solution in some aspects, though not all, is that in the modern age we generate vast quantities of paper. I remember when I was in the Department of Foreign Affairs in the 1970s and working on part 19 of a file on a particular subject, if I wished to retrieve parts seven, eight, nine and ten, for example, it...

Seanad: Flood Relief (20 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Senator for giving me an opportunity to come to the House to discuss the position in respect of the recent flooding which occurred in Skibbereen in November 2009. When Senator O'Donovan tabled the Adjournment matter that Tuesday, I was not aware I would be going to Skibbereen on the Friday. It had been my intention to visit the towns in west Cork but when I saw on Wednesday that...

Civil Partnership Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: This is landmark legislation, which I welcome. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is justified in claiming it as an example of civic republicanism at work. I believe he can say this with more conviction than might have been possible in the past. As in 1993, when homosexuality was decriminalised, he has decided to go the whole way, with the obvious caveat of the status of...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (21 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: For several years, the Office of Public Works has held a significant amount of valuable historical data on flood events occurring nationally over the past century. This data is available on the Flood Hazard Maps website, www.floodmaps.ie. Following the Review of Flood Policy in 2004, the OPW was assigned lead agency responsibility for the management of flood risk. Central to the policy is a...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (21 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Since the introduction of the Arterial Drainage Amendment Act, 1995, allowing the Office of Public Works to undertake urban flood relief projects to protect residential properties and businesses, approximately €200 million has been invested on capital projects in the intervening years, with over €112 million spent in the last five years alone. Since 2003, OPW have completed schemes in...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: There are no such arrangements in place under the conditions for Design & Build Contracts. However, if the Deputy is aware of an issue in this regard, he should furnish the relevant details and I will ensure that the situation is followed up by my office.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to takes Questions Nos. 98 and 105 together. The tables set out the allocation for flood relief activities, for Capital Works, Drainage Maintenance and Hydrometric headings, for the Office of Public Works and the subsequent expenditure under these heading in the years from 2004 to 2009. CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Allocation €20.55M €20M...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Funding is provided by the Office of Public Works on an ongoing basis to local authorities to undertake agreed flood relief works, of a major nature, under the local authorities' own powers. Since 2009, OPW has also introduced a Minor Flood and Coastal Protection Works Programme where funding is provided to the local authorities for localised flood relief works. No monies from the funding...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: In the aftermath of the severe flooding of November 2009, the Government undertook a number of initiatives to address the situation. The most pressing issue at the time was to provide assistance to those immediately affected and also to assist the Local Authorities in the post-flood clean-up. An initial sum of €10m was provided for a Humanitarian Aid Scheme, which is administered by the...

Written Answers — Capital Projects: Capital Projects (26 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I set out below the table showing the information requested by the Deputy. I am very aware of the benefits to the economy, as a whole, that can be attained as a result of such large infrastructural projects. The Capital Projects with a budget estimation exceeding €800,000 that are in the middle of construction at present Capital Projects with a budget estimation exceeding €800,000 that...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (26 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Following the severe flooding which affected the town in Bandon, Co. Cork in November 2009, the Office of Public Works received a scoping report and an application from Cork County Council for the implementation of a flood relief scheme for the town. Following its examination of the report, OPW has decided to appoint consultants to identify the most cost effective option for a flood relief...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I am making enquiries into the matter referred to by the Deputy and I will communicate with her separately as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (26 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council produced the final report of the Dublin Coastal Flooding Protection Project in 2005. Funding for the study was provided by the Office of Public Works. The study was undertaken, by the Councils, in direct response to the extreme tide and flood event experienced across Dublin City and Fingal County during February, 2002 and was primarily aimed at...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (26 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The Commissioners are evaluating future strategies for these premises.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (26 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together. The Northside Civic Centre at Bunratty Road, Dublin 5 consists of two buildings. The buildings were built by the OPW. The site is still in the ownership of Dublin City Council. Because the site has not yet been transferred to OPW by Dublin City Council, it has not been possible to formalise tenancy agreements with the occupants. The...

Seanad: Banking Sector: Statements (26 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the opportunity to speak to the Seanad on the Government decision last week to establish a framework for a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the systemic failures in the banking sector which culminated in the need for the State intervention. The Government has taken this decision in recognition of the public expectation that there be a full examination of what went...

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

Martin Mansergh: All phases of the flood relief scheme are being implemented by the Waterford City Council with OPW funding and expertise. Phase 1 of the Waterford City Flood Alleviation Scheme consists of flood protection works (a) on the River Suir upstream of its confluence with John's River near Adelphi Quay, along the length of the South Quays to Rice's Bridge, and (b) on John's River from its...

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

Martin Mansergh: Following severe flooding on several occasions, a Flood Relief Scheme was approved for the town of Ennis. The scheme was divided into two parts – Upper Ennis (Phase 1) and Lower Ennis (Phase 2). Works on the Upper Ennis Scheme, which include Island Car Park, Mill Bridge, Wood Quay to Parnell Street, and Mill Road are substantially complete and are expected to be completed by the end of...

EU Scrutiny Report: Motion (28 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: On behalf of the Minister for Finance, I welcome the opportunity to debate the proposals put forward by the European Commission and the report thereon by the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny, details relating to which were very ably outlined by Deputy Perry. I thank the committee for its report, which, drawing on the lessons learned from the banking crisis, clearly highlights the...

EU Scrutiny Report: Motion (28 Jan 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny, Deputy John Perry, for his presentation. I thank Deputies Joe Costello and Bernard Durkan for their thoughts on the matter. Let me deal with the end of Deputy Durkan's contribution, which I would describe as political reductionism. I followed the debate on the banking crisis in many countries. The explanations being sought...