Results 401-420 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Strategic Rail Review Report: Statements. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator should have gone to the restaurant car.

Seanad: Strategic Rail Review Report: Statements (Resumed). (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome this study, to which I made a submission. In fact, I also made an input into Fr. McGréil's study on the western corridor 15 or 20 years ago, to which I am sympathetic also. I blame much of the under-investment in the railways on the attitudes of economists and economic institutes, especially those based in Dublin, who during the years were hostile and influenced Government and, to...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It has the Central Statistics Office.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I agree with much that Senator Ryan said and, in particular, that there are two types of decentralisation, namely, decentralisation of the central office that simply operates from another part of the country and devolution of authority about matters such as housing or schools decisions up to a regional basis. I accept that, in respect of the second item, we are over-centralised. Senator Ryan...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: No, they will not.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It is a very odd definition of left and right.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: And collected more taxes.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Rubbish.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Senator Quinn for giving me some speaking time. I welcome this debate which is about a very important strategic decision for the generations of students of today and tomorrow, for parents, for the character of universities and third level colleges and for the economy and society. I applaud the Minister for his courage and integrity which have been evident for a long time. He has a...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Of course "free fees" is a manner of speaking; we do not have free fees at the moment. We have a €670 per year registration charge and I have not heard anyone argue on the basis of universalist principles that it should now be got rid of, except possibly the USI. The issue is whether fees in some way commensurate with the cost of the course, and indeed the benefits from it, could or should...

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: There is little empirical evidence that the status quo makes a positive contribution to equality of opportunity. In that free fees enable some wealthy professional people to buy up more rental properties to let it may even contribute to less equality.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Like the Minister I find the position adopted by some parties fairly astonishing.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Labour Party rule out of hand a redistributive measure. Equality is for the better-off—

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: —and it is not a question of removing disadvantage. It seems to me that under the leadership of Deputy Pat Rabbitte, the Labour Party is resuming its rightward march.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: If there is any class politics involved, it seems to be middle class politics. I respect the views of the Progressive Democrats. I say to them that whatever else free fees are, they are not proximity to Boston. Universities in Boston charge huge fees. We do not have time tonight to discuss the issue about quality of universities.

Seanad: Rural Development Policy: Statements (Resumed). - Third Level Fees: Motion. (21 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Minister was quite right about the dual mandate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I support the call for the acquisition of Lissadell House by the State because of its unique historical associations. Like Bantry House with the Tone exhibition and Strokestown House with the Famine exhibition, there should be an exhibition showing Countess Markievicz's role in the Citizens' Army, the early years of the labour movement with James Connolly and the 1916 Rising. I will be very...

Seanad: Sustaining Progress: Statements. (27 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State. While I have no knowledge of the situation pertaining to the secretarial assistants, if the facts are as stated by Senator Higgins, I would have a good deal of sympathy with the case made. The Senator also gave a very fair historical analysis of one of the most notable achievements of the past 15 years, social partnership. While it is not the only ingredient...

Seanad: Sustaining Progress: Statements. (27 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The sixth.

Seanad: Sustaining Progress: Statements. (27 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Some of us have spoken up in support of it.