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

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

Martin Mansergh: They will not be.

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

Martin Mansergh: The Ennis line is being upgraded.

Seanad: Order of Business. - OECD Education Report: Statements. (16 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: This is, broadly, a very encouraging report. As most of the statistical aspects have already been addressed in the debate, I will confine myself to a few points. As a parent of five children going through the national school system, I regard our public primary education service as excellent. In my belief and experience, the vast majority of teachers are hard-working and committed, believing...

Seanad: European Convention/Intergovernmental Conference: Statements. (22 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I am very glad to contribute to this debate. This is an excellent document and has the merit of being readable, comprehensible and simple in a way that the old treaties never were. A major step has been taken along the path of making the EU more accessible for people, without creating the impression that one needs to be a bureaucrat. Having been a bureaucrat, I know that bureaucrats find many...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State to the House, particularly as I have enjoyed the hospitality of his constituency in the recent past. I warmly welcome this Bill and the strong and vigorous defence of public service broadcasting contained in the Minister of State's speech. One or two points that he made deserve to be re-emphasised. He says decisions on scheduling are complex and are best left...

Seanad: National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, and his officials, one of whom is a former colleague of mine. The report of the Economic and Social Research Institute is of considerable value. I am an admirer of the institute which provides independent analysis from which we can learn whether we agree with every recommendation it makes. Even if we do not agree...

Seanad: Direct Payments Decoupling: Statements. (11 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister to the House. I welcome the successful model execution of a reform, namely, that one studies the question carefully with experts, but one also brings in the interest groups and tries to reach a maximum consensus on the solution. As far as I can judge, most farmers and other interests are either happy with the decision or at least accept it. There are other ways to bring...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It is a Government decision, not a decision of the Progressive Democrats.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I would like to ask the Leader if she could arrange a debate, if at all possible, on the Book of Estimates next week, so that we can discuss all the issues involved. I support and echo the calls made by other Senators about the need for an informed and balanced debate on all the issues involved in stem cell research and in particular the comments made by Senators Dardis, Ó Murchú and Henry....

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Inaction.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I, too, would welcome a broad debate on the Estimates. Absurd and misleading arguments have been made in recent months on the subject of benchmarking, which amounts to only €305 million. I have not done the calculation, but that is a very small percentage.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: In any public service it is the people who matter more than anything else. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I notice the social welfare Estimate will be discussed this evening but a characteristic of it is that most of the main social welfare announcements are made in the budget. Therefore, one is looking at only one part of the picture. It seems people want to deny any Minister for Social and Family Affairs the right to make readjustments in existing schemes, but one will not be able to judge the...

Seanad: Report of Tourism Policy Review Group: Statements. (19 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State, who had responsibility for tourism in the previous Government, during which time it did very well. This is an important report and tourism is an important sector especially for employment and regional development. If the report had gone back to 1987 it would have shown that tourism numbers doubled between 1987 and 1990. They have doubled again from 1990 to the...

Seanad: Stem Cell Research: Statements. (19 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I would like to share two minutes of my time with Senator Ormonde, with the agreement of the House.

Seanad: Stem Cell Research: Statements. (19 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Are there many other speakers?

Seanad: Stem Cell Research: Statements. (19 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I will share with Senator Ormonde and then perhaps Senator Brennan will follow me after that.

Seanad: Stem Cell Research: Statements. (19 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I will share with Senators Ormonde and Brennan.

Seanad: Stem Cell Research: Statements. (19 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: This is a difficult and complex issue. When I work out the pros and cons I will come to a position at the end. I must declare an interest in that I have a daughter who is engaged in stem cell research, or has been, albeit of the animal variety. It is wrong to think that there are no ethical problems involved with that. My daughter is at the University of Wales at present and, if anything, the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I support the call of Senator Terry and others to review and improve the working conditions of secretaries of Members of this House. Like other Senators, I deplore cheap shots and one should not seek election to the Parliament unless one has a belief in what one is doing. The pity is that the media is not terribly interested in much of our work, but that should not deter any of us from doing...