Results 3,281-3,300 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Without detracting from the importance of the economic cross-Border issues mentioned by Senator McHugh, I hope that we would have some important political developments by the end of this session that would make a debate worthwhile. A television series that was broadcast a few years ago was called "Endgame in Ireland" but in a sense, that is still ahead of us. I support the calls made by all...

Seanad: Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: Second Stage. (14 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I warmly welcome the Minister, the Bill and the Minister's comprehensive speech. Our Leader's speech about the origins of the idea reminded me of a remark by former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt about the origin of the European monetary system. He chided someone, saying "Il ne faut pas chercher la paternité des idées"—one must not look for the source of ideas.

Seanad: Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: Second Stage. (14 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: As Senator Henry reminded us, Grangegorman was a byword for what was most depressing in the city of Dublin. The project now before us is an enormously exciting initiative. I presume the figure of €900 million is a gross one as I assume the existing sites all have a value which will contribute considerably to reducing the net cost. The project will help deal with the deprived area of the...

Seanad: Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: Second Stage. (14 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: That is probably an understatement. The Leader and Charles Haughey had the courage to do the right thing. Does anyone now criticise those decisions? I will not beat about the bush. The best time may be when the move to Grangegorman is complete, but the Dublin Institute of Technology deserves university status because of its students, its staff and the research they do. I will make a similar...

Seanad: Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004: Second Stage. (14 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: He was also cross about the institutes of technology.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Bill which deals with a vital service. I am sorry it was not possible, despite efforts over four years, to achieve full consensus with the groups involved which would have been a much preferable way of proceeding. At the end of the day the Government has a responsibility, having listened and consulted exhaustively with everyone, to do what it considers best. Everyone of us has...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: And socialist parties.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

Martin Mansergh: That is correct.

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Martin Mansergh: On a point of order, I thought the order of speakers alternated between the two sides of the House.

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Was that pointed out? I do not think it was.

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Martin Mansergh: As I believe in being as politically fair as possible, it is appropriate to pay tribute to former Deputy Jim Mitchell for allowing Ryanair to commence operations. I welcome the Minister to the House and the decisions of Government, which are essentially correct. While it is true the State could have invested in Aer Lingus under the Brussels rules, we saw in 2001 that if there were a downturn,...

Seanad: Nuclear Plants: Motion. (25 May 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I do not take the benign view on Sellafield of the previous speaker. It is true that our power is limited. Everything possible has been done in the legal process. As there are several nuclear powers in the world, there is limited scope to raise the matter through the various international conventions. A disaster at another nuclear plant would not have the same impact on the surrounding area....

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Statements. (25 May 2005)

Martin Mansergh: There was never more truth in the saying attributed to an Irish countryman who was asked by a visitor for directions: "I wouldn't be starting from here". We must reflect on what has led us into this situation, even as we strive to get out of what can only be described as a mess. As time gives more perspective, I have a great deal of respect for President Bush Snr. during the first Iraq war...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 May 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I agree that it would be useful to have an in-depth debate on tax breaks before decisions are made in the next budget. The recent "Prime Time" programme raised important issues. I took particular exception to the description by one individual of this country as "worse than communist China". The same individual made a profit of €250 million in two years from the sale of State assets and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 May 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Notwithstanding the philanthropic work done, that situation was a total disgrace.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 May 2005)

Martin Mansergh: The Minister might.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 May 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I join in expressing deep sympathy following the awful tragedy yesterday. When considering the issues that may arise when the full reports are completed, the Government should be guided by the same principle that guided the Leader with regard to railways when she was Minister for Public Enterprise. We cannot scrimp on safety. I would like to see the Government decision on the introduction of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the correct decisions made on air transport yesterday. Amid the party political broadcasts, not to mention the cynical independent comment and the comment of the various interested parties, a major competition issue is being entirely overlooked by promoters of publicly-owned terminals, privately-owned terminals and anything in between. That issue is the cost of access to Dublin...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Martin Mansergh: ——as cars should not be the dominant means of transport to Dublin Airport.

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Our hotels have improved their competitiveness vis-À-vis bed and breakfast accommodation. Ten or 15 years ago, hotel accommodation cost much more in real terms than it does today. Unfortunately, that has tended to squeeze out bed and breakfasts. As Senator O'Toole pointed out, a 100 mile or 200 mile journey by rail is much cheaper in Ireland than it is in Britain. We should not paint a...