Results 3,001-3,020 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: In the late 1980s the Labour Party thought particular social partnership agreements represented a sell-out. I remember former Deputy Barry Desmond making such arguments. While it would be possible to check the record, as far as I can recall in 1987 the only party to join the minority Fianna Fáil party in voting for the PNR was the Workers Party. I accept that the Workers Party is now...

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Some people would argue they have taken it over.

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I agree with the trade union emphasis that we must tighten up on employment standards and inspections. To afford confidence in the system we must have better enforcement. Opposition research offices often give the impression that nothing is happening on infrastructure. There has never been so much improvement with the investment that is taking place. I hope they will find ways to give new...

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The final point relates to the National Economic and Social Forum report, which is more a concern of the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, and what it states about community employment, a particular bugbear of mine. It states that it ought to be reviewed and that more of the activities should be mainstream. That is fine but there are immediate, urgent problems, including people being let go...

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator omitted the mid-1980s.

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, and his officials and I also welcome the speech by the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt. If my good friend Senator Coghlan will forgive me——

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: He must wait until he hears what I have to say.

Seanad: Social Partnership: Statements. (7 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: When I worked in a party research office I liked to write a speech that could be delivered with vigour and conviction by the speaker. Senator Coghlan's speech was lacking in conviction. He came to life when he spoke on his favourite subjects, the Great Southern Hotels and Killarney. As a political person I take pride in two achievements over the last 20 years, namely, the peace process and...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (2 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to share my time with Senator Maurice Hayes. I would like to say at the outset that in future when debates on Northern Ireland are organised, more time should to be given so that those who want to participate can do so, and perhaps there should be a more even distribution of time. I welcome the Minister of State and the speech by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Minister goes back...

Seanad: Job Losses. (2 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, to the House. The loss of its last manufacturing plant is a bad blow for Carrick-on-Suir, which is a medium-sized provincial town. There are other manufacturing plants not too far from the town, but I am talking about the town itself. SRAM Ireland, which manufactures bicycle components, announced earlier this week that it intends to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator is part of it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: It is my understanding that in accordance with a Government decision, An Post will issue stamps to commemorate both the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising and the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. At the Soloheadbeg commemoration last Sunday, as has been the practice for many years, relatives of at least one of the RIC constables who was shot dead were present. There is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: As a Senator of long standing, I would have thought that Senator Norris knows that it is not the practice of this House to so do.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I will conclude. While I would support a debate on the Shot at Dawn Campaign, one hour is unrealistically short, as I believe that many Members might wish to contribute and a more substantial debate would be required.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: No. 1 on the Order of Business is perfectly worded. Effectively, we are making what has been perhaps de facto, de jure. I would welcome a debate on the nitrates directive which is a matter of concern to farmers. I am confident that when the derogations are negotiated, and bearing in mind the deferral of the phosphorus aspect of the directive, that in the course of social partnership, a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: The State's attitude to 1916 is quite clear; leaders of all the parties go to Arbour Hill each year to pay their respects to the founders of the State. One cannot possibly describe as sectarian a proclamation that talks about cherishing all the children of the nation equally——

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: I specifically refer to relations between majority and minority. A distinguished former Senator, W.B. Stanford, for 25 years represented the minority in the Seanad and expressed regret that greater numbers of the minority were not actually involved.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: Come off it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Martin Mansergh: She is Head of State.

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2005: Statements. (26 Jan 2006)

Martin Mansergh: It started under Fianna Fáil and the Labour Party.