Results 2,621-2,640 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2007: Statements (Resumed) (23 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator has got that wrong. It promised 200,000 extra medical cards.

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2007: Statements (Resumed) (23 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: It is a tremendous Government.

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2007: Statements (23 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister to the House, thank him for the time he has given us at a pressing time of year and congratulate him on the Book of Estimates. How many Finance Ministers in Europe are in a position to continue to reduce the national debt, provide substantial relief in taxation and fund substantial increases in public services without any undue strain? I suggest very few of them are...

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2007: Statements (23 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator should allow me to say what I wish to say. Of the various proposals I have heard, I considered those of the Labour Party more sensible than most. Extreme care would be needed in any reform or adjustment of stamp duty to ensure one does not give further impetus to house price inflation.

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2007: Statements (23 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The one good thing about the discussion on this issue is that it has had a cooling off effect on the house market and house prices. That is good in many ways.

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2007: Statements (23 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the allocation to the Office of Public Works for flood relief, which has increased from €20 million to €32 million. This will be particularly helpful in Clonmel which has been prone to flooding. The OPW has shifted from the acquisition of sites to building, a sign of the progress being made with decentralisation. This Government's support for sport has been outstanding. Of...

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2007: Statements (23 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Fianna Fáil councillors in south Tipperary tell me that there is much more money available than was the case previously. The Government has been criticised for not reducing numbers in the public service, as was temporarily decided in 2002 and 2003. If one wants the services, however, one needs the numbers. During yesterday's debate on inflation, I quoted the National Competitiveness...

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2007: Statements (Resumed) (23 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: It has been a success in Tipperary.

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2007: Statements (Resumed) (23 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: It is a costly affair.

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2007: Statements (Resumed) (23 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: He has since announced that he is to review those decisions.

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2007: Statements (Resumed) (23 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: He is reviewing the decision. The Senator should stop reading his script and debate the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: During the autumn we have been preoccupied with the issues of road deaths, road safety, speeding and drink driving. It is very frustrating when cases are thrown out on technicalities. Justice is supposed to be an even scales but it seems that the feather of a technicality weighs evenly with or even more than the substance of an offence. We ought to review the administration of the law to...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: No, we are not.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The year 2005 was exactly the same.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: No.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The latest figure is 2.2%.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: We have managed to keep it a very good economy.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: There was zero investment in public transport. The Senator can examine Deputy Quinn's Estimates.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Two and a half years.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Martin Mansergh: We have a good economy today.