Results 3,041-3,060 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (16 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials. As we go into the Christmas season, the economy has rarely been in better order. Government finances are totally under control and there is full employment and high growth. Of course, there is a variety of threats and dangers on the horizon. That has always been the case and it always will be. However, we are in a better condition than we...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (16 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Now.

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for their presence in the House this morning for the passing of two important Bills. I wish him the best for the season.

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Motion for Earlier Signature. (16 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I move: That pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Appropriation Bill 2005 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Taking a 20 year perspective, I would like in general terms to praise the ESRI for its medium-term reviews and reports and we should debate them when we come back. For a number of years, it has predicted a housing price crash. The price of prosperity is eternal vigilance and there are always various threats on the horizon. I agree with Senator Brian Hayes that a property tax might precipitate...

Seanad: Development Banks Bill 2005: Second Stage. (16 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, and his officials to the House. I warmly welcome the Development Banks Bill 2005. I do not think Senator John Paul Phelan should doubt that there was mass poverty in this country historically. It was a very serious problem 40 or 50 years ago. We did not worry about relative poverty in those days because it was a question of absolute poverty.

Seanad: Development Banks Bill 2005: Second Stage. (16 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: We have gone beyond that, thankfully. I welcome the comprehensive background detail that the Minister of State has given the House. He reminded the House that when the Asian Development Bank was established "Ireland was not in a position to join and put in our financial support". Ireland would have liked to have contributed to many of the international efforts which were made 20 or 30 years...

Seanad: Development Banks Bill 2005: Second Stage. (16 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Just to correct the Senator, he may end up as the honorary consul for Mongolia.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (16 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: A rainbow Government without all the colours.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2005: Second Stage. (15 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister and his officials to the House. I congratulate him warmly on his part in the budget. Like last year, he, together with the Minister for Finance, the Taoiseach and the rest of the Government contributed to a significant gear shift since 1997, when the concentration was on having an efficient, dynamic economy. The accent in the past couple of years, in particular, has...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: The hotels are quite safe in their hands.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I also ask for a debate on the issues relating to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I will correct Senator Ryan on one point.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: He said that a particular individual might be a subordinate member of an organisation but I am not aware of any evidence to that effect. The imputation may damage that person's reputation. We are talking about ethics, not law. The body in question is established to look primarily at ethics. That may include a criminal wrongdoing but its primary focus is on ethics. People are entitled to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I cannot remove from my mind the serious allegations that were made against the Taoiseach in a court of law. I am not aware of any apology or expression of regret by the person who made the allegations.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: A balance is needed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Legislation should not encourage the breaking of the law under any circumstances.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: On the morrow of a successful budget, I would very much welcome a debate on equality issues. It would have been nice had there been recognition of what the budget did to promote equality through tax concessions benefiting those on the minimum wage and the average industrial wage, together with the record social welfare package and the closure of tax breaks for the——

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Regarding what Senator Brian Hayes had to say, after nine years child benefit has gone up from €39 a month for third and subsequent children to €150.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Of course, one cannot solve all the problems, and there will be further work for future years. However, a very solid basis has been laid.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2005)

Martin Mansergh: It has contributed to that end.