Results 1,181-1,200 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The notion that nothing is happening in Tipperary could not be further from the truth. There is also the issue of Roscrea. Senators opposite may remember that we recently passed the Garda Ombudsman Bill which provides for a Garda Ombudsman's office. I suppose, strictly speaking and if one is being pedantic about it, it is not decentralisation because a new office is being established. One...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I spent 20 minutes on the radio this morning and I think people were very happy when I finished. It is a fallacy to think that only those moves mentioned in the announcement will happen by 2008 and that everything else will happen afterwards. Ministers and Departments are driving the process forward and if I know the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, and his...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The Minister has shown his good faith in the programme by opening this Private Security Authority in Tipperary town at the end of October. In the Budget Statement, there is no mention of a three-year timeframe. That was said outside the Dáil, not in it. Clearly, that was——

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——somewhat over-optimistic. Given the amount of work done and progress made, I would not use that to condemn the programme as a shambles or anything of the kind. Once people can see that the programme is going to roll, it will encourage further interest among those who may have been hanging back to see if it was really going to happen. My colleague, Senator Leyden, referred to the record...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Decentralisation was introduced then as a cost saving measure — as an economy — because costs were less down the country. I wish to deal with this nonsense about the national spatial strategy and decentralisation. I have said before, but it clearly needs to be repeated, that this was a very clear commitment given. It is a promise being delivered from the last election. The Fianna Fáil...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I do not think it was Fine Gael policy that decentralisation should only have gone to places which were hubs and gateways. I remember the chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary party circulating a note around various business offices almost the moment the announcement was made. I did not detect any objection, in principle——

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——that Tipperary was not a hub or a gateway. The Buchanan report recommended concentrating all development in a few large centres but people both inside and outside this House need to be reminded that this country is a democracy. Towns are not willing to allow their prospects to be written off.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The national spatial strategy mentioned decentralisation once and only in passing. It was primarily about the private sector activity — industry, services and infrastructure — which was needed. Decentralisation is complementary to the national spatial strategy. In any case, if one thinks about it, not all activity is concentrated in gateways and hubs with no activity elsewhere. A hub...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Nearly all the hubs and gateways have experienced decentralisation from previous programmes. If one considers the entire decentralisation programme, including past actions and the present scheme, it constitutes a well-balanced programme. I am aware of the significant difference that an announcement of decentralisation and the prospect of its implementation has made to Tipperary town. A number...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The prospect of decentralisation has given great confidence to the area. The Opposition is completely misreading the situation——

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——if its members continue to criticise the programme. They are not doing their areas any service——

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——by encouraging people to moan and worry. The programme is making good progress and I again congratulate the Minister of State on the progress made during the year.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I encourage the Minister of State to continue in the same vein and look forward to the second round of announcements next March.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I did both.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister and the Bill. I compliment the Minister on presenting the primary legislation, together with amendments, which is helpful in terms of understanding the changes being made. The legislation follows on foot of the referendum which was passed decisively earlier in the year. The Minister in his speech rightly pointed out that we have a completely different social situation...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Martin Mansergh: No, it will not.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I warmly welcome the Minister of State and welcome the budget even more warmly. All of us on this side of the House are proud of the budget.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It shows that the Government's economic policy is delivering, as is social partnership.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I look forward to the day when not merely the IMF, the OECD and the EU Commission welcome social partnership——

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——but also our colleague, who is the business editor of the Sunday Independent.