Results 1,761-1,780 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: In this House, I am often not given the courtesy of speaking without interruption, especially when I point out facts that are not very convenient to the Opposition. This country is crying out for decentralisation.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: An opinion poll in The Irish Times showed that two thirds of people were in favour of decentralisation, in spite of the all the negative media coverage. The country has developed in a very lop-sided fashion. The announcements on decentralisation have acted as a tremendous catalyst for development and growth. For example, the people of Tipperary town have not looked back since the...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: They did not lose in Tipperary town.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I acknowledged that.

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I will cut to the chase. I accept the bona fides behind the original drafting of the motion——

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: ——and that it was meant to extend the role of the Seanad and so on but to conclude the point just made, this is strictly an Opposition motion. I do not believe that the parties opposite, if they were in Government, would put forward or support this motion. I have an old-fashioned, de Valerian view, namely, that sensitive matters of foreign policy are for the Government to decide and it...

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: ——cut across by the Oireachtas. The Senators opposite should read the Official Report of the debates on the aspects of the Constitution dealing with foreign policy. The Government should determine foreign policy and if the Senators opposite do not like the foreign policy, from time to time elections are held in which they can elect a different Government.

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Which country is searching those planes?

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: No. He was right.

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: What about the work permits for 40 million Poles?

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Perhaps the Senator will talk to his leader.

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: And the Senator's party will behave in exactly the same way when it is in Government.

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: We are a disciplined party.

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Free party — that is a cop-out.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I salute the sporting successes of the last week, in particular, the outstanding performance of the Irish equestrian industry at Cheltenham. It is a vindication of the policy framework to support the industry established in 1969 by one of our great Ministers for Finance, Mr. Charles J. Haughey.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I look forward to any comments the Leader may make about Tipperary-trained racehorse, War of Attrition, and the illusion of its owner that he might have died and gone to heaven. On behalf of Senator Bradford and myself, it is an honour to have been nominated to this House by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association. I hope that in any reform of the Seanad the nominating bodies will...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Especially the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup from County Tipperary.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: They do see them.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Caveat emptor.

Seanad: Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Second Stage. (21 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister and the Bill. I commend the Minister on his efforts to reform the system. When the next history of the Department of Social and Family Affairs is written he will have many honourable mentions. Social welfare has received substantial resources in recent years and payments now keep up with average real income growth, not just compensating for inflation. If one does not...