Results 761-780 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: This is not a question of amending the Bill but a matter of justice. I have some reservations. Some extremely fit and capable middle ranking and senior gardaí must retire at the age of 60. In the interest of the public they should not necessarily have to do so. The question of fitness is a priority and an important criterion. However, I question the assumption that if one is a garda, one is...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: This reinforces the point I made. It confirms a provision that prison officers can serve until the age of 65. It appears the requirements in fitness terms for a prison officer are roughly the same as those for a garda. I am not sure why the retirement age for prison officers is 65 and for gardaí is 60. This is a justice matter rather than a matter for this Bill.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Is that despite the 65 years mentioned in the Bill?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: We lost a Deputy and gained a Leader. On my observation, political families are still flourishing. Long may that——

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I cannot support either of these amendments in the precise form in which they are drafted. However, the amendments do contain points of substance. I am not quite sure why the age of 60 is included in the amendment. I do not know at what age people entered the teaching profession 40 years ago. I admire teaching and think it is an exceptionally demanding occupation — 40 years would probably...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I have two observations on what has been said. Social conditions change and, therefore, terms of employment change. While Senator O'Toole has been most eloquent, he is speaking more as a trade union leader for politicians than as a politician. Amendment put.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I agree with Senator McDowell's analysis and for that reason I believe it is a sensible provision.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: May I say one thing?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The Chair allowed the Senator before me to speak. May I just take 30 seconds?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Yes, but I would like to make a response to the debate. I accept the argument the Minister of State put forward. The existence or not of pensions is not a substantial motive for people entering politics.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I warmly thank the Minister and his staff for conducting this debate, which has taken place over the past two days. It was an interesting and instructive debate in which I enjoyed participating. It raised a number of issues that may need to be dealt with in months and years to come both in these Houses and in other forums. It has thrown light on many issues.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The comments of Senators Brian Hayes, O'Toole and Ryan about electronic voting show why the issue should never have been politicised. The introduction of electronic voting confers no advantage on any party in this House——

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——a Government party or the Opposition. It is absolutely politically neutral. I am certain that when the Bill is published, it will contain severe penalties for anyone who would tamper with or manipulate it in any manner whatsoever. I am glad the Exchequer returns show a healthy picture because that means in the medium and long term there will more money to support all the community projects.

Seanad: Address by Mr. John Hume, MEP. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It is a great privilege to have amongst us the person whom history will undoubtedly judge as the greatest statesman to come out of the North of Ireland during a troubled and difficult period. His career has been the embodiment of the values of the civil rights movement — what Senator Ryan called the creative power of non-violent struggle — and he stands in the honourable tradition of The...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: As Fianna Fáil finance spokesperson, I welcome the Bill. The 5% increase in motor vehicle tax was included in the budget and is moderate. I can remember discussions in the tax strategy group apropos of green taxation in which there would have been advocates for a much a greater increase. Motor tax is a highly progressive system of taxation. The poorest in our society do not own cars and...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The real point about the budget, including increases such as the 5% on motor vehicle tax and various other charges that have been mentioned, is how little, not how much, was added to the tax burden. The Opposition has been trying to sell the argument of stealth taxes, but that is a phrase that has been brought in from another jurisdiction.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The real achievement of the budget was that there was negligible increase in taxes. There is every sign that the people appreciate that and, what is more, as we can see from yesterday's figures, revenue is clearly buoyant. On the source of the problem on non-national roads, we came from a base in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s of many non-national roads not being tarred at all, which I remember...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I am very glad to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this motion and I congratulate the Progressive Democrats for tabling it. I declare an interest in that at least five members of my family are directly involved in university education while my father was a university professor for most of his life. I regard education as a Government and infrastructural priority which is...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I would even put it ahead of health. If one had to pick one key to our future, it would be education. We must be conscious that a debate is under way all over the western world, certainly in western Europe, on the funding of third level education. The point must be made before we discuss where we are that enormous progress has been made, particularly over the last 15 years. There has been a...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It is a little bit like water charges, property taxes and so on. There may be a good theoretical case for introducing the various charges but the reality is we are a democracy and we have to pay attention to what the people want. It is clear the people want us to manage. They would take the view that they are paying for third level education largely through the tax system and they do not want...