Results 1,261-1,280 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: No, it was caused by a thorn in my driveway. I changed the wheel and took the punctured one to be repaired.

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Something like that.

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I was astonished by the bill with which I was presented for the puncture repair. It was all done very efficiently within 15 minutes and cost only €5. There may be a difference between Tipperary and Killarney as regards certain charges but perhaps Senator Coghlan might like to comment.

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: A point highlighted by the ESRI is that there is a difference — I am not sure political rhetoric has caught up in this regard — between the budgets introduced in the years 2001 to 2005 and some of the Government's earlier budgets dating to 1997 and that most of the gains have been directed towards those at the lower levels in society. There has been a great deal of additional expenditure...

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: He said the problem is that far too many people who should be receiving primary care come to hospitals — the point can be made that primary care has not yet been developed in the way it should have been — and that, at the other end of the system, there are insufficient step-down facilities. A new health administration system is being introduced this year and it is hoped that this will...

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: That is correct.

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2004: Statements. (8 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I recommend the current ESRI report to the Senator.

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (9 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan. Today we have an ODA programme of which we can be proud. I would like us to go on making progress and do better, but we are doing well. The EU target, for example, is 0.39% of GNP by 2007 and we are already past that point. As far as promises are concerned, obviously the Opposition wishes to make a political point. However, I will do them...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Mallow Castle. When suggestions are made in the House that require considerable Government investment, Members should be conscious of existing assets. I welcome the completion of the transport debate and the rail links mentioned such as Dunboyne and Shannon. However, it is forgotten that there is already a railway line to Navan from Dublin. When the Spencer Dock rail station is opened, the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I thought Senator Coghlan would have raised the matter as to who could be making a profit from the road signs in County Kerry. It is a matter of equal distress to me that the sign on the Urlingford side of the County Tipperary border proclaiming "The Premier County — Home of Hurling", has also disappeared.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: It would be good if the relevant Minister was invited to the House to discuss the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: We are not running away from it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: There could be two hours' debate on it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Who is withdrawing it?

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Senator Coghlan who is not here should remember there are also national parks in Connemara and Donegal and there is a meeting of the waters in Wicklow. A point was raised about the Minister for Transport. It is worth reminding ourselves that in the budget produced by the then Minister, Deputy Quinn, in 1997 the Exchequer investment for public transport was precisely zero.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: At least with €500 million a year, we can talk about——

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator does not want to hear what I have to say.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I regret it appears we will not have the opportunity to debate Senator Norris's Bill——

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: ——as I would have liked to have made certain points about it. Although I have not had a chance to check the record, I am sure that about 30 years ago the then Senator Mary Robinson introduced private Bills of various kinds. I am sure she let them be debated because proposals can benefit from debate and can always be resubmitted later. It is certainly not this side of the House that is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: It is an extraordinary notion that we cannot divide in this House on social legislation.