Results 2,261-2,280 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: Over the years going back to Éamon de Valera Irish foreign policy has had a very high ethical content but not totally divorced from interests. For example, we eschew the use of force, but of course, we do not have any force to use. Unfortunately the term "ethical foreign policy" is a rather discredited term from British politics. The former British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, used the...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: Unfortunately four years ago when it was launched, the Iraq war was seen by US President Bush and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, as exemplifying an ethical foreign policy. I am very suspicious of moral crusades particularly ones using force to justify a position. One should not overdo the high ethical content because very often it is compatible with very shabby practices, as we...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: That is why we have the problems we have. I have perfect sympathy with Israel's right to exist within recognised borders. However, it has not recognised the displacement and dislodgement of people who have been put into an area. I recognise the Jewish people have had huge hurts and grievances historically — above all in the mid-20th century. However, it has not accepted the harm caused...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: Those insights need to be got across. The balance of power is with Israel, which has not done enough to try to consolidate relations with its neighbours. I accept that at times its neighbours have been very difficult and nearly impossible. A considerable amount could be learnt from the Northern Ireland peace process by all the different participants.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: There is a parallel scheme in Northern Ireland.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: A recommendation.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: It is €1,000 million.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: On a point of order, does the Cathaoirleach not find it astonishing that there is no member of the Labour Party participating in this debate?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: Quite.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: Who introduced the budget?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister and his officials. I take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister on his three-year stewardship of the national economy and national finances. As I said in a previous debate, he was adjudged by the Financial Times to be the best Minister for Finance in the euro zone. The budget has resulted in a situation where 38% of taxpayers no longer pay tax because their...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: For example, a drop of 2% in the rate of income tax was balanced out by abolishing the introductory rate of 10%. The cut of 2% in corporation tax which, according to the Financial Times was partly stimulated by competition from Ireland even though Mr. Brown likes to talk only about the big seven economies, was paid for by small businesses which saw their introductory rate of corporation tax...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I recommend to the Opposition the Minister's speech at the Ard-Fheis——

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: ——in which he dealt very fully with the stamp duty proposals of Fine Gael and how they would completely destabilise the property market and put equity at risk.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator has not studied the question. Let us study it before we call it nonsense. The stamp duty issue is irrelevant to large tracts of the country. I visited an estate agent in Tipperary, where the average price for a good detached three-bedroom house is approximately €220,000, well below the stamp duty threshold. Moreover, somebody must be buying the 93,000 houses that were built...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I am sure this will continue to be reviewed and examined in conjunction with the experts in the industry. As a passing comment, I wish to refer to sports equipment. For example, hurleys are manufactured in this country. The point was made to me that if the VAT rate was 13.5% rather than 21%, it would help to eliminate the black market.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: To be fair, one would have to extend the measure to the balls and instruments in all sports, not just hurleys. Although I understand it is still subject to clearance, I welcome the new stallion stud fee regime. The positive way of considering this issue is to acknowledge that for 40 years a fantastic incentive has been in place which has moved the industry in Ireland from what was a very...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: As somebody who has been closely involved in an advisory capacity in policy over the past 20 years, apart from the success of the peace process, I am immensely proud of the economic transformation that has been achieved in those years. I do not claim this success has been achieved by one party. It has been achieved by partnership and different coalitions of partners. The 1987-1989 Fine...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: I also compliment the leader of the Opposition on his media honour. When and if, in the fullness of time, he becomes a Minister, may he always——

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Martin Mansergh: ——be here to pilot legislation himself and never send a Minister of State to deputise for him.