Results 1,121-1,140 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: National Car Testing Service: Motion. (3 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State and particularly his vigorous defence of the NCT service. I only wish that the driver testing system was a fraction as efficient. I have some experience of the national car test having twice put my car through it. I find that if one makes an appointment the staff are ready to deal with one's car when one arrives, if one arrives on time. The staff are polite and...

Seanad: National Car Testing Service: Motion. (3 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: If the system is to work properly, there is a need for an objective test by——

Seanad: National Car Testing Service: Motion. (3 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——a body with whom one has no contractual or customer relationship. I do not know about the experience of my colleagues on this side of the House in this regard, but I do not receive mailbags full of complaints. People accept the system just as they accept many other measures to ensure better road safety. One should remember that the number of cars on the roads has grown exponentially...

Seanad: National Car Testing Service: Motion. (3 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Yes, next year.

Seanad: National Car Testing Service: Motion. (3 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Not at all.

Seanad: Flood Relief (3 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: With the permission of the House I will share my time with Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The floods in Clonmel last week, only a few years after the previous flooding, show beyond doubt that a flood relief scheme is a serious and high priority. I welcome the prompt visit of the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I would like to support several colleagues on the subject of a transport debate and would recommend having it in two parts, namely, national transport and transport in the greater Dublin area. We should express appreciation for the amount of investment that is coming on stream. This year we had the two Luas lines, the extension to the M50, which is opening today, the opening of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It is coming on stream.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: We are speeding up, not slowing down.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister and the Bill. As regards that last point made by Senator McCarthy, I have the impression, which perhaps the Minister will deal with, that the Bill is based on substantial consultation, as it would have to be. That is not to say, however, that every particular detail is necessarily agreed. However, I got the impression from the Minister and the tenor of the Bill that it...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: All the debates sought in this House should be realistically based. Senator Ryan stated that Ireland is the richest country in Europe. That is not true and yesterday's International Monetary Fund report stated that in 2003 Ireland was still below the per capita EU average for GNP of 99%.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: We cannot overstate our position——

Seanad: Competitiveness and Consumer Protection Policy: Statements. (10 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: This is an important debate. I incline towards the view that we cannot afford to show any complacency. We are in the euro system and that means we do not have the option of a depreciating currency to restore competitiveness. If one takes the perspective of the past 17 years, to quote the IMF report this week, the social partnership process has made an important contribution to Ireland's...

Seanad: Competitiveness and Consumer Protection Policy: Statements. (10 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I have some reservations about what one might call catchy tabloid phrases — they have been used by different people in different contexts — like rip-off Ireland. There is an element of truth in them but they are not the whole truth. It is the case that the ultimate guarantor——

Seanad: Competitiveness and Consumer Protection Policy: Statements. (10 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——of competitiveness is, in many instances, market forces. If alcohol prices go too high, the volume drunk will fall off. The same applies to accommodation. If the price of accommodation goes too high, it will not be filled. We have particular concerns about the sheltered sector of the economy where the forces of competition are not what they should be. The Government has done a...

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (10 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I move: That Seanad Éireann, —urges the Minister for Finance to continue to support a low tax regime; —accepts that since 1997 the steps taken to lower taxes have been the key to growing employment and growing Government revenue; —commends the Government for its record tax reductions which continue to have a positive impact on people's lives and the economy; —notes that since 1997...

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (10 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——which is unlikely to be part of a Government, proposes as policy an increase in all sorts of taxes. However, there is a large measure of consensus that we are pursuing the correct policies. It is entirely misleading to suggest that 50% or more of taxpayers pay at the high rate because those who are exempt from tax are of course excluded from the figures. The budget booklet last year...

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (10 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Corporation tax has been reduced to 12.5% but there has been no decrease in taxation of businesses. The Fine Gael Party is wrong in its claims that the rainbow Government first introduced the 12.5% corporation tax rate.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (10 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It was announced in May 1997 and yet took several years to be implemented. EU agreement had to be obtained and the Labour Party got cold feet about it in 2000. Members should not make claims that are not strictly justifiable.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (10 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I take great pleasure in moving this motion. Whatever may be said on the other side of the House, I do not believe that either of the main Opposition parties will declare any intention of altering the current tax policy.