Results 2,161-2,180 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Transport 21: Statements (Resumed) (15 Nov 2007)

Martin Mansergh: On 13 December 1978, Charles Haughey, the then Minister for Health, in a debate on Ireland joining the European monetary system, put his finger on the factor that had contributed to our low level of economic achievement, compared to other European countries. He said "that factor is the level, the appropriateness and the suitability of our infrastructure". He helped establish the network of...

Transport 21: Statements (Resumed) (15 Nov 2007)

Martin Mansergh: The first leg to Ennis is a great success. People appreciate and recognise the huge progress being made. I welcome the commitment of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to infrastructural investment even in leaner economic and financial times.

Transport 21: Statements (Resumed) (15 Nov 2007)

Martin Mansergh: It is a homage to our great equine industry.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (14 Nov 2007)

Martin Mansergh: Question 134: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether there are already many centres of excellence operating in public hospitals; and if there has been research carried out into outcomes in this country that would have a bearing on decisions on where or how specific hospital faculties within a region or the country should be brought together. [28868/07]

Written Answers — Transport Policy: Transport Policy (14 Nov 2007)

Martin Mansergh: Question 150: To ask the Minister for Transport the projects under Transport 21 which have been completed. [28869/07]

Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Nov 2007)

Martin Mansergh: Not for the first time I have the pleasure of following my constituency colleague, Deputy Tom Hayes, and while I do not agree with everything he said I agree with much of it. This is primarily a Bill about the organisation of Government business. There is no perfect rational way of organising sections of Departments, however they are divided there will be anomalies. In 2002 a rationale was...

Undocumented Irish in the United States: Motion (Resumed). (7 Nov 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to share time with Deputy Blaney.

Undocumented Irish in the United States: Motion (Resumed). (7 Nov 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I am delighted to support this agreed motion and congratulate the Fine Gael Party for using its time to highlight an issue of concern to countless families throughout the country because their offspring, undocumented in the US, are unable to come home for family reasons and are vulnerable to exploitation. For 20 years the undocumented Irish have been a major issue with successive Irish...

Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Bill. It is an ideal model of complex legislation in that it has been discussed with the various interests and agreed. It is long-needed and long-awaited legislation. Irish people are very generous but it is important their donations go to bona fide charities. I remember being struck some time ago in regard to overseas aid, which is the subject of a number of charities, that...

Employment Support Services. (1 Nov 2007)

Martin Mansergh: If the Deputy ever reaches this side of the House he will learn that Leader companies, county councils and other authorities are always very generous when spending other people's money.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Restoration to Order Paper (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to share time with Deputies Kitt, O'Connor and White. I welcome the opportunity presented by the Labour Party's Private Member' Bill to discuss an important subject that will clearly be an early part of the legislative programme of the Thirtieth Dáil. In the programme for Government, there is a commitment to legislate for civil partnerships at the earliest possible date, taking...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Restoration to Order Paper (31 Oct 2007)

Martin Mansergh: That is totally unfair.

Agrifood Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I would like to share time with Deputy Collins; the Minister of State, Deputy Wallace; Deputy White; and the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent.

Agrifood Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome this discussion. I appreciated the speech made by the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, last night. We are fortunate to have an excellent Minister who has the confidence of farmers. I welcome the Ministers of State, Deputies Wallace and Sargent, and wish them well in their jobs. The difference between the Opposition motion and the Government amendment is that the Opposition has simply...

Agrifood Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Martin Mansergh: The expansion of the excellent rural environment protection scheme will mean that it will cover many dairy farmers. There are buoyant prospects for dairy and grain farmers, which is not before time. I am glad that the set-aside scheme is being set aside.

Agrifood Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Martin Mansergh: All farmers hate the sight of idle land. Having spent the past three Saturdays selling forward stores in Cashel, I assure the House that the mood there is fairly good, the weather is excellent and the beef prices are good but unfortunately the margins are very small.

Agrifood Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Martin Mansergh: There are real problems for pig farmers and there is a need to streamline the rules governing the imports of feed, most of which contain GM. One of the issues on which the Opposition based its call for reform of the animal feed regulatory regime was the unanticipated difficulties caused by the time delay for the new GM maize event, Herculex. I understand the Commission has today authorised...

Agrifood Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Martin Mansergh: A tighter timeframe between the authorisation processes in the US and in Ireland would significantly reduce the possibility of unauthorised GM events and would make life easier for European pig producers. I understand consultations are taking place between the US and EU authorities on this matter. What is needed is that as much land as possible is used to grow crops both to help supplies...

Pre-Budget Outlook: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I compliment my constituency colleague, Deputy Tom Hayes, on what was a very constructive and relatively non-partisan contribution to the debate. However, I disagree with him on one point in that I do not believe in scapegoating individual public servants, which is often too easy a response. I welcome the presentation by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Cowen, of the...

Pre-Budget Outlook: Motion (23 Oct 2007)

Martin Mansergh: Not in the least.