Results 3,421-3,440 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: From the beginning, the peace process was built on first constructing a democratic, Nationalist consensus into which people would buy and then a democratic consensus involving both Unionists and Nationalists. There is complete unity in Government, this House and, with very few exceptions, the Dáil as to what an exclusive commitment to peace and democracy involves. While there are many useful...

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Tribute is owed to Senator Norris, not only for putting this question before us, but also for the campaigning he has done over a long number of years. The highlight of this campaign was the Bill enacted by the former Minister for Justice, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, under the aegis of the Fianna Fáil-Labour Party coalition, on the decriminalisation of homosexuality. There is no disagreement on...

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: It is very good.

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to share my time with Senator Feeney.

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials and I welcome the Minister's speech. It was important to set this debate in its general economic context and note that Ireland has managed to maintain an exceptional economic performance over many successive years. Senator John Paul Phelan is wrong that we have lost competitiveness. I recommend to him an article on this subject in the ESRI's...

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: It is one of the most successful regional towns in the country. This underlines that we do not live in what used to be called a planned economy. Market forces play a major role in economic development and they like Clonmel. People involved in drawing up the plans should remember that these factors are indicative and be fluid and flexible. One cannot simply dictate a development from the top....

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I was there at the time the IFSC——

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: There is Rossaveel.

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: No, Charlie Haughey was its champion.

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: The airport would never have been built without him.

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Charlie Haughey opened the airport.

Seanad: Development of BMW Region: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: That is not true.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: Senator Coghlan who is not here should remember there are also national parks in Connemara and Donegal and there is a meeting of the waters in Wicklow. A point was raised about the Minister for Transport. It is worth reminding ourselves that in the budget produced by the then Minister, Deputy Quinn, in 1997 the Exchequer investment for public transport was precisely zero.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: At least with €500 million a year, we can talk about——

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator does not want to hear what I have to say.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I regret it appears we will not have the opportunity to debate Senator Norris's Bill——

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: ——as I would have liked to have made certain points about it. Although I have not had a chance to check the record, I am sure that about 30 years ago the then Senator Mary Robinson introduced private Bills of various kinds. I am sure she let them be debated because proposals can benefit from debate and can always be resubmitted later. It is certainly not this side of the House that is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: It is an extraordinary notion that we cannot divide in this House on social legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: I commend Senator Norris for going to the trouble of putting forward proposals. They need a certain amount of refinement.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Martin Mansergh: There are many other issues that need to be taken into account.