Results 2,221-2,240 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (28 Jun 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I have blooded myself already. Indeed, one of the Deputies opposite told me I had already lost my maidenhead three times.

Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (28 Jun 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to share time with Deputy Johnny Brady.

Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (28 Jun 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle on his election and express my delight at seeing him where he is. From time to time, I will probably embarrass him by referring to some of his exploits in previous existences.

Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (28 Jun 2007)

Martin Mansergh: The Bill comes from the Seanad and I come with it. It is not often one has the opportunity to debate Second Stage of a Bill in both Houses of the Oireachtas and I am grateful for the second bite of the cherry. I notice that on a number of matters, including the Bill, the Green Party, which is very welcome in Government, is being incited to take up positions by Fine Gael Members which are...

Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (28 Jun 2007)

Martin Mansergh: The foundation of liberal economics was the phrase "laissez faire, laissez aller" coined in the 1750s by Vicomte de Gournay, a Frenchman who was part of what Edmund Burke called "that sect of economists". I have always had mixed feelings about tolls given their association with ancien régime Europe where they obstructed traffic and commerce. However, we have, for what must be admitted good...

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Second and Subsequent Stages. (27 Jun 2007)

Martin Mansergh: Yes.

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Second and Subsequent Stages. (27 Jun 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his appointment to the Chair. I can think of no more suitable a person. It is a great honour and responsibility to be elected to Dáil Éireann to represent the people of Tipperary South with my party colleague, Deputy Mattie McGrath, and Deputy Tom Hayes of Fine Gael. The legislation to expand the number of Ministers of State to 20 accompanies the...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Jun 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I agree with my colleague, Deputy Finneran. One of the purposes of this legislation is to put the stamp duty issue to bed and end the uncertainty and instability surrounding it. Anything else that may be done from time to time can be done in a budgetary context, thus taking stamp duty out of the realm of speculation. I found the picture painted by Deputy Shatter, of a modest home worth...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I regret the extent of the emphasis placed on it. I cannot think of a single poverty group that mentioned the subject of stamp duty and it was hardly raised once in several months in the part of the country I represent. It was raised more recently but only by somebody who has a child in Dublin. I am not saying that a problem that pertains only to Dublin should not be addressed. It is...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2007)

Martin Mansergh: With the permission of the Acting Chairman and the House, I ask that what I have to say not be regarded as my maiden speech, which I intend to deliver tomorrow. I welcome the appointment of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, which has been greeted warmly around the country and does a great deal for economic confidence. I welcome the Bill, which more than fulfils an election commitment,...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2007)

Martin Mansergh: From this side of the House I wish to thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the unfailing courtesy, latitude and on occasion, necessary firmness he has shown to all Members of this House. It is strange feeling to have a one-Chamber Oireachtas although this is very temporarily the case. I wish to endorse fully all the sentiments expressed by Senator Brian Hayes about the importance of exercising...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2007)

Martin Mansergh: EU-harmonised prices stand at 2.9%. We have a contract with the people, namely, Towards 2016——

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2007)

Martin Mansergh: ——which is a ten-year social partnership agreement. I again echo Senator Brian Hayes's remarks when I say what a privilege it has been to have served as a Member of this House and to have contributed to so many excellent debates. I thank the Leader, the Clerk, the Clerk Assistant, all the support staff of the House and Mr. Eamonn McCormack.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I am looking forward to the Senator joining us.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Apr 2007)

Martin Mansergh: Above all, we should refer to members of the Judiciary as "citizen judges".

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Apr 2007)

Martin Mansergh: With regard to the MacEntee report and the position generally, the historical files are never closed. Whatever about light bulbs, I am sure none of us would want to ban incandescent Senators, except perhaps the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Apr 2007)

Martin Mansergh: While I welcome the US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi's visit to Syria, we must note that President Bush is not on the road to Damascus.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Apr 2007)

Martin Mansergh: On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, we need to remind ourselves from time to time there is much we can learn from continental Europe. The last couple of days have seen inaugurated, or at least by way of experiment, a new TGV that travels at the equivalent of approximately 320 mph or 515 km/h. A comment has been made that this is a success for the French model,...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Apr 2007)

Martin Mansergh: There has been some discussion in the House about the Garda. Again looking to Europe, the members of the German army, the Bundeswehr, are referred to as citizen soldiers. It would be good if our soldiers, gardaí and judges thought of themselves and were regarded as citizen soldiers, citizen gardaí and citizen judges.

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Motion (4 Apr 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State and warmly congratulate the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the team of officials on finally bringing about the successful conclusion of the peace process. It has lasted 20 years and I have vivid memories near the beginning of this process of meeting Gerry Adams and two of his colleagues with Deputy Dermot Ahern in the Redemptorist monastery in...