Results 1,021-1,040 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: We hear much criticism in this House and outside it of our trade unions. I congratulate the ESB staff at Moneypoint on agreeing a pretty incredible deal involving a 20% to 30% cut in their take-home salaries. Given the stress we all put on competition, we need to bear in mind that competition and public service are not incompatible. I would like to see equal weight given to both values.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The Government is part of the social partners.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: No, no.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister and wish him a happy Bloomsday. Ulysses has references to a number of financial scandals, one of which Senator Ross might be aware. Joyce referred to the name Dubedat, and Dubedat was a stockbroker in the 1880s. He used clients' funds to build a large house in Killiney that was recently put on the market, albeit refurbished, for approximately €8 million. One day it...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Of course, that is not the case at all. We ought to recognise that there are people who are very well qualified who may also have a party affiliation. The practice in filling panels of these kinds has been that the vast majority of nominees do not have strong political affiliation. There have been instances in the recent past where people who have been appointed to the chair of bodies have...

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I had not intended contributing to the debate. I came to the House to listen to what was being said on this important issue. In the spirit of the Leader, I compliment Senator Coghlan on producing this legislation. It is a remarkable tribute to the Leader that she effectively went to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, to act as advocate for it. That...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: That is not true.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I join with other Members in congratulating the ongoing Government on its success in getting agreement on the EU constitutional treaty. It is a credit not alone to the Taoiseach, his Ministers and civil servants, but also to the pro-European policy of this country over the past 40 years under successive Governments. While it is hard to read the runes on this matter, I would like to see a well...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The charges for freedom of information requests are quite right. It is much too early to draw conclusions that the legislation is not working. If people want freedom of information, the charges are very small for most people to pay.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It is rather too early to have a debate on smoking and health, but if we are to have one we should take into account studies going back to the 1940s which show that smoking shortens people's lives by ten years.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Is that Fine Gael policy?

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Is the Senator declaring an interest?

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: That is free.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The Tories.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I looked at the debate in the other House, as the amendment was also tabled there. The authority has both a consumer protection and a prudential role. The problem with appointing somebody who represents a particular interest is that he or she represents that interest rather than having a more general role. I have listened to people involved in consumer protection over the years and some of...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: As I stated on Second Stage, this legislation effectively deals with two commercial sectors. It deals with customer banks but also with international financial services who are mostly not dealing with Irish customers. It is essential that we retain some flexibility and discretion in regulation. If we become too rigid, we will discourage very valuable international investment in this country....

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: While recent events give rise to serious public concerns, they do not alter the strong and cogent case made by the Minister of State.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I am conscious the Acting Chairman probably has a particular interest in the amendment. The Government has a long-standing policy of State boards in principle having at least 40% of members of each gender. That is, however, a policy statement as opposed to a legal requirement. In the interests of flexibility, particularly in this area, I would hesitate to impose a legal requirement of this...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Is the 40% requirement laid down in other legislation?

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I am not sure whether these amendments would also set a precedent. I am not aware of a board, authority or council for which positions are openly advertised. Members of these bodies tend to be appointed by a Minister or by nominating bodies provided for in legislation. I am not sure this is an appropriate innovation for this legislation.