Results 2,961-2,980 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: As Minister for Finance, Ray MacSharry introduced a decentralisation programme in 1988 and it saved money.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: That remains to be seen.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: In this House, I am often not given the courtesy of speaking without interruption, especially when I point out facts that are not very convenient to the Opposition. This country is crying out for decentralisation.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: An opinion poll in The Irish Times showed that two thirds of people were in favour of decentralisation, in spite of the all the negative media coverage. The country has developed in a very lop-sided fashion. The announcements on decentralisation have acted as a tremendous catalyst for development and growth. For example, the people of Tipperary town have not looked back since the...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: They did not lose in Tipperary town.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I acknowledged that.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, and his officials. I warmly welcome the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006, which is important and necessary. There was no need for this legislation 20 or 30 years ago because not enough money was available to pay for infrastructural development. It could be argued that it did not make much difference at that...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Enormous sums are being spent on infrastructure and it was an emphasis that was singularly lacking from Fine Gael and Labour Party coalitions during the same time.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Why can the Senators not listen?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I did not interrupt Senator Ryan when he was speaking so he might do me the same courtesy.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: In the mid-1970s, there was no emphasis on modernising the telephone system. In the mid-1980s, the cutbacks occurred mostly in the capital investment area.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The election literature of the rainbow coalition of the mid-1990s contain no emphasis on infrastructural deficiencies. Therefore, I get a little impatient when I hear Senators talking about incompetence and the lack of resources. You did not attach any priority to this area.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: There has been a tremendous investment programme in the past ten years. I always know I am on the right track when people try to interrupt me. They do not want to hear the truth and they do not want to hear any objective analysis of the situation. Members of the Opposition sometimes laugh and smile, as do some Members on this side, when the Taoiseach describes himself as a socialist. One of...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The old Workers Party had a different economic emphasis to the Labour Party in the 1980s, based as it was on economic investment. Its members used to accuse the Labour Party of being a welfarist party. There is probably still some truth in that criticism. If resources and wealth are to be created, public investment is needed and this Government is providing that investment in spades. That is...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: ——but from its own resources, because of the excellent management of the economy, which the Senator is not prepared to recognise. There is a notion out there that this Bill is not needed. Many important projects have been seriously delayed. Given that some of them have now gone ahead, one might ask why they were held up. There were protests in the Glen of the Downs and in Carrickmines. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: And the Black Valley.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Of course we can.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: On a point of order, is it in order to attack civil servants or public servants? I do not believe it is. This is a disgraceful attack as Ministers are responsible for their Departments.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I addressed the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Martin Mansergh: That is a disgraceful charge. Senator Feighan should withdraw it.