Results 3,261-3,280 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: The problem with the law — and the law was involved in the case discussed by Mr. Murphy — is that it is possible to argue that practically any position can be questioned legally or constitutionally in a court of law. Is the Government to be reduced to a state of total paralysis by fear that this or that might not be legal or constitutional? Yes, there was a failure and I do not propose to...

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: We talked about underperformance but I suspect there are many instances of overperformance in every Department, that is, people who perform way beyond the strict demands of what they do, particularly in terms of the hours they put in, because they are dedicated to their job and want to do a good job. On the issue of value for money, I compliment the Minister of State on his performance on...

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: On the morning of 16 November, it was the esoteric basis of——

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator cannot blame a Taoiseach for trying to keep a good Government——

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: They are a public relations exercise.

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: That was three months earlier.

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: There was an incident involving the appointment of a judge and a warrant in which there was some attempt to blame a senior civil servant.

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: And Senator Mansergh.

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Tomorrow.

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Indeed it has.

Seanad: Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State. The legislation under discussion is a significant piece of Civil Service reform. The existing system of dismissal is cumbersome. I recall seeing bulky memoranda for Government for dismissing a prison officer, for example, or for chronic absenteeism. A memorandum might run to 100 or 200 pages. Are Ministers expected to read through all this documentation before...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: No. 3 on today's Order of Business, Second Stage of the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2004, allows the House to discuss one aspect of the responsibility and accountability of Ministers and civil servants, respectively. Members may have noticed that the Taoiseach decided to seek more information yesterday on the revocation of a particular licence. While few people will disagree...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Keep a firm grip on one's homestead.

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion. (16 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to speak.

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion. (16 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Is there no time?

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion. (16 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: On a point of order, I was able to speak on last year's resolution without any problem.

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion. (16 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Is it possible to amend the order of the House?

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion. (16 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the House for allowing me to say a few words. I do not propose to speak for long. Like our spokesperson, I regret that it is necessary to renew this resolution but I have no doubt it is necessary. The Minister of State has set out in some detail why that is so and, indeed, active use has been made of the legislation in the past 12 months. The days immediately following the Omagh...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: As with previous speakers, and Senator Finucane in particular, I hope the European Council will reach a consensus on an approach to the ratification of the constitution for Europe and restore confidence in the way forward on that and other matters. There is no question of other member states, not just Ireland, France, Germany and others, agreeing to a renegotiation or dismantling of the...