Results 841-860 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It would be economically stupid.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I said it would be economically stupid.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the comments of Senators Brian Hayes, O'Toole and Dardis on Europe. We all wish the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs success in concluding the work on the constitution by June. Since the tragedy in Madrid it has become very clear that Europe must present a united front. I am glad there is very little talk these days of a two-tier or two-speed Europe, as that is the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I like to have civil servants listening to our debates.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Greater competition is good but greater public service is good also. I do not want to see competition going so far as to gut public service where it is needed. We should wish the social partners well when they begin their talks. Let us remember that social partnership has been one of the fundamental reasons for the outstanding performance of this economy over the past 17 years.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I would be happy to have a debate on social partnership and transport policy. Policies should not be made by ultimatums or stand offs. Social partnership is an aid to governing and conducting well the affairs of the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I would like to say in defence of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform — I know this from my Qi Xiao days — that the proposal for a referendum covers concerns that have existed for a number of years and was not provoked by a meeting of the masters of hospitals. However, I support the view that the issue should be thoroughly discussed in this House and in the country before...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (1 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: On a point made yesterday, and without pre-empting the events of the day, I express my gratitude for the work of the Labour Relations Commission, which indicates the importance of the industrial dispute machinery. It has been strengthened in recent years by being embedded in social partnership.

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Potentially it was.

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The Taoiseach put this matter absolutely straight.

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I would like to share my time equally with Senator Mooney.

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: If there were ever a case of a motion being overtaken by events, I suppose this is it. It does not matter whether we like the proposed timing of the referendum or the substance of the decision, because the decision has been taken. There are differing views on such matters. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform made a cogent and reasoned case for what he is doing. I welcome the...

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: In my experience, such an allegation is absolutely without justification. Such attacks on civil servants should not be made. I am aware that this matter has been discussed for some time. The meeting with the masters of the maternity hospitals may have been a catalyst for action, but it certainly did not represent the beginning of the discussion. It is obvious that there is a Northern...

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: He was severely reprimanded.

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: There is not a scintilla of truth in it.

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: That is not the reason.

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: That is complete rubbish.

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It is not for electoral gain.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I am very glad that voices on all sides of this House have contributed to a reconsideration of widows' benefit. It shows the value of debating legislation properly in this House. An ability to correct one's position when, upon full reflection, it is found that it may not be tenable, is a great political strength and not a weakness.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: On a technical point, last week a subcommittee of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights issued its consideration of the Barron report. Since that report was made to the two Houses of the Oireachtas, for the Government to take that further it must be debated in both the Dáil and the Seanad. I therefore ask the Leader to arrange that at an early date so it might...