Results 2,021-2,040 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Irish Economy: Motion (13 May 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I am very tempted. This is my first outing. I apologise. I have been plunged in at the deep end.

Irish Economy: Motion (13 May 2008)

Martin Mansergh: There have been enormous infrastructural improvements in south Tipperary. It is approximately the third county in terms of spending. The Cahir bypass has made an enormous difference to journeys on the spine from Tipperary to Carrick-on-Suir. It is a very big improvement. The train service has improved enormously under Transport 21.

Irish Economy: Motion (13 May 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Deputy Burton is clearly in denial and thinks she will wind me up.

Irish Economy: Motion (13 May 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Investment and jobs have increased in south Tipperary where there is quite a strong industrial base. The local newspapers report as much about new jobs as redundancies.

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (29 Apr 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Quite right.

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (29 Apr 2008)

Martin Mansergh: In my experience few subjects or policies have been more comprehensively discussed, debated and analysed than neutrality, certainly since 1981. It is quite difficult to listen to lectures on militarisation from a party that still has a military wing albeit, thankfully, no longer active. It tries to present itself as the champion of Irish neutrality. If any movement has been more guilty of...

Business of Dáil (29 Apr 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Hear, hear.

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (29 Apr 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Without doubt.

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill 2008: Second Stage (24 Apr 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Bill and the Minister. Interconnection has a history going back at least 30 years, or as far back as the Cork to Midleton railway line, for example. I used to be an official dealing with energy in the Department of Foreign Affairs in the late 1970s and top of the agenda at the Taoiseach's Department at that time was east-west interconnection. It was politicised to the extent...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Question 323: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the present legal status of the Good Friday Agreement and its relationship to the St. Andrews Agreement. [13979/08]

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Question 556: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda stations in south Tipperary which are manned on a 24 hour basis. [13980/08]

World Trade Organisation Negotiations: Motion (17 Apr 2008)

Martin Mansergh: After dairying, the beef sector is the main staple of Irish farming. The margins are tight and often practically non-existent, even at the moment. Much of the production comes from part-time farms. If viability was to collapse, it would be devastating for rural Ireland and the agrifood sector. The job losses would be large, but are difficult to quantify. We have seen what has happened to...

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Apr 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Bill and the White Paper, which I look forward to studying. Membership of what is now the European Union has been, during the past 35 years, a vital factor enabling Ireland, following centuries of vicissitudes, to make dramatic progress fulfilling its destiny as a nation. According to Dr. Hillary, Emile Noël, former Secretary General of the European Commission, once described...

Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Mar 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Student Support Bill 2008. The expansion of the third level sector over the past 20 years, building on earlier progressive developments in the late 1960s and early 1970s, has been a major success story. We have moved from a relatively low rate of third level participation in higher education to a relatively high rate. In recent years, we have also begun in earnest to develop...

Capitation Grants: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Martin Mansergh: No area is more important for our future than education. I welcome this debate.

Capitation Grants: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Martin Mansergh: There is no more worthwhile investment. We have long ceased to be a cheap location for employment, so our advantages will reside chiefly in the skills and intelligence of our young people. The capitation grant for primary schools has trebled from the equivalent of €57 in 1996-97 to €178 this year.

Capitation Grants: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Martin Mansergh: An enhanced special needs capitation has applied since 2002 and a salary services grant in place of community employment schemes since 2001.

Capitation Grants: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Martin Mansergh: There is also an additional capitation for gaelscoileanna. I accept costs have increased, especially water charges and energy bills. Even with the best management, most school finances are very tight.

Capitation Grants: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The commitment in the programme for Government, reflected in the Fianna Fáil election manifesto to double capitation grants over the lifetime of this Government is certainly needed.

Capitation Grants: Motion (Resumed) (12 Mar 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Progress will depend on broader economic conditions and the State's finances. In our election manifesto, it was explicitly stated Fianna Fáil will put responsibility first.