Results 501-520 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Fine Gael Party position is to suspend the deal, which goes well beyond the recent IBEC statement. Deputy Richard Bruton has complained about the absence of background studies. The correct decision was taken on this issue. If all the background studies and Labour Court determinations were published, it could lead to endless nit-picking and rival consultants— (Interruptions).

Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The proof of the pudding is that the public sector has accepted the deal and we have industrial peace as a result. The Fine Gael Party, which regards itself as an alternative Government, should be aware that maintaining public commitments is the most important issue for any Government.

Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I recall that in 1994, the then leader of the Fine Gael Party, Deputy John Bruton, opposed the Programme for Competitiveness and Work only to reverse his position the moment he came into Government. We look forward to hearing the views of the Labour Party on the issue of benchmarking as they are not compatible with those of the Fine Gael Party.

Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Even if that were not the case, the fundamental question is whether Governments should keep their commitments. I am a little shocked that the Fine Gael Party is proposing not to pay the benchmarking award. It betrays an ongoing ambivalence towards social partnership with which the party was not happy in the past. The biggest mistake the Fine Gael and Labour parties made in the mid-1980s was...

Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I regard this motion as largely academic. The Opposition motion shows a lack of appreciation for the work done in the public service. The public service, specifically the Civil Service, will put in an enormous amount of additional work into our forthcoming Presidency of the European Union. We have a relatively small public service compared with most other countries. Our teachers have larger...

Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Fine Gael Party should reconsider its subliminal attitude to the public service. I support the amendment and oppose the original motion.

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Railway Derailment. (8 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I am thankful, as are we all, that the serious, even spectacular, rail accident in Cahir involved no loss of life or injuries. In that respect it was better than the previous accident in the same place in 1955, details of which are recorded in photograph books in County Tipperary. It is a busy line, despite impressions given to the contrary, and it is especially so at this time of the year...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Railway Derailment. (8 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The Seanad adjourned at 8.40 p.m. until 10.30a.m. on Thursday, 9 October 2003.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Senators from my side, and also Senator O'Toole, for their understanding and supportive comments. I would like to make three general observations. Everything that Fr. Alex Reid or myself and others did from the months following the Enniskillen bomb to the months following the Omagh bomb had one purpose only, to establish a lasting peace in Ireland that would be an alternative to...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Bill 2001: Committee Stage. - Local Radio Licensing: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, the Minister of State, Deputy McDaid, and the fact that there is a debate on this issue which is very important for many communities. I warmly congratulate Senator O'Meara on her report, which I broadly support and which appears to touch many of the main issues. While I am not a member of the joint committee, I sat in on the session a week or two...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: In welcoming the Minister of State to the House, I point out that he is a regular user of public transport in the Dublin area, including the DART and the train to Balbriggan. That is very much to his credit.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I am proud to support a Government, including this Government and its predecessor from 1997, which, on a sustained basis, is putting so much investment into transport, including public transport. That was not the case in the past. Senator Browne referred to lack of foresight. In the 19 point programme put forward by Fine Gael and the Labour Party at the start of the 1997 election, one will...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: We will be very proud of it and so will the Senator.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: That is wrong.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Ridiculous.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Is it, therefore, an overstatement?

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I am not.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It is easy when one is laying track across a desert.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The line has been greatly improved.

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator ought to remember the Building on Reality report which recommended no more investment in railways.