Results 1,781-1,800 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

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

Martin Mansergh: It is interesting how thinking has changed on this. We were not correct then but we have the correct attitude now. At that time it was easy to make that conclusion because payments were so small that even if one increased them they would not make a considerable difference. The early child care supplement is welcome and it is a matter that wracked many Civil Service, advisory and ministerial...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Just look at the coverage of Charlie Haughey.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: He is not afraid to debate the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: He debates it more than any other Member.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I tend to deprecate heavy-handed political attacks on our public service broadcaster, whether from Government or Opposition. It tries to do the best job it can.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Political thinking was maturing at that time but there now exists one of the best relationships between Government and a public service broadcaster. Compared with Italy, France and even, on occasion, Britain we have a genuinely high-quality, independent public service broadcaster and I am surprised it is attacked by the Labour Party.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I agree with Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on road freight policy. He referred to the Limerick-Rosslare line as an example but if the closure of the Mallow sugar factory had been foreseen three years ago perhaps the bridge over the viaduct in Cahir would not have been repaired. We can take great satisfaction in the development and modernisation of all our passenger rail services,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: No one attacked the road hauliers.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: No one said that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: And substance.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Exactly.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: We have plenty of ten-year plans.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: One of the best measures of competitiveness is high sustained growth and, in that respect, we have been top of the list for approximately the past 15 years. I would like to express my deep satisfaction at the permanent ETA ceasefire, which is clearly in part at least based on the model of the Irish peace process. The Government should congratulate Mr. Zapatero, the Prime Minister of Spain...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: ——who seemingly has played nearly as important as part in the Basque peace process as he did in the Northern peace process. I believe that those who tried but unfortunately were unable to demonstrate here would appreciate the number of lives that have been saved by his endeavours. On a lighter European note, we are three months into the year of a very important commemoration. I am talking...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I have not seen much about it. Manchester is organising the playing of the piano concerto——

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I hope the Senator is right and that events will be organised.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I have one final point to make.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism should monitor the situation to ensure that the anniversary is properly commemorated because one of the main witnesses of the life of Mozart was the famous Irish tenor, Michael Kelly. According to experts, playing the music of Mozart is very good for babies. Do Members agree that politicians need eine kleine nachtmusik?

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: ETA began before the IRA.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: There were no apologies for terrorism. We are pleased it is over.