Results 3,521-3,540 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The other aspect indicating a strong economy is the social welfare package of €874 million and the tax package of €682 million which comes to between €1.5 billion and €1.6 billion. To be able deliver such a package is a sign of how well the economy is now going again. We have come through two difficult years with our basic economic strength intact. From a strategic point of view,...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Martin Mansergh: In tandem with the nitrates directive, I also welcome enhanced capital allowances for expenditure on farm pollution control. Some of the measures affecting housing are very important. The stamp duty changes for first-time buyers of second-hand houses have long been sought and will be welcomed by many first-time purchasers. The changes in rent relief will also benefit many young people. We are...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Second Stage. (1 Dec 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister and the Bill. I compliment the Minister on presenting the primary legislation, together with amendments, which is helpful in terms of understanding the changes being made. The legislation follows on foot of the referendum which was passed decisively earlier in the year. The Minister in his speech rightly pointed out that we have a completely different social situation...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: That is correct.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: No, it has not.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Deputy Richard Bruton, for example.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It has been looked after, to the tune of 20 jobs.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I hope that the remainder of this debate will be at a slightly higher level than it has been. I welcome the Minister of State, the progress being made and the fact that decentralisation is on the road. Obviously we must start somewhere. If one adds in the 700 jobs mentioned as priorities to the 3,600 jobs already noted, one is talking of more than 4,000 jobs. That represents a good start...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I notice that despite what has been said, the majority of the headquarters — one of the issues in the debate — are in the first phase. The Department of Agriculture and Food headquarters will move to Portlaoise, those of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism to Killarney, and those of the Department of Defence to Newbridge. The Minister of State has proved over the past year that the...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: He has been translating decentralisation into practice.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: In order for decentralisation to be put into effect, partnership consultation is very important. This is a social partnership Government, as its predecessors have been. Assurances are required. There is, particularly in the Civil Service, a very good level of volunteers for a lot of the locations. I would like to turn to Tipperary since it was mentioned.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: If I have one criticism of the Minister and the list he published, it is that he ignored the Private Security Authority which was opened by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 28 October last. Incidentally, in his speech——

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It was something extra which is splendid. People in Tipperary are delighted to see the old Garda barracks, the Department of Agriculture and Food offices and former Royal Irish Constabulary barracks refurbished to a high standard to accommodate the new Private Security Authority. Advertisements have been placed for a chief executive who is likely to be recruited in January. A Department of...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The notion that nothing is happening in Tipperary could not be further from the truth. There is also the issue of Roscrea. Senators opposite may remember that we recently passed the Garda Ombudsman Bill which provides for a Garda Ombudsman's office. I suppose, strictly speaking and if one is being pedantic about it, it is not decentralisation because a new office is being established. One...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I spent 20 minutes on the radio this morning and I think people were very happy when I finished. It is a fallacy to think that only those moves mentioned in the announcement will happen by 2008 and that everything else will happen afterwards. Ministers and Departments are driving the process forward and if I know the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, and his...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The Minister has shown his good faith in the programme by opening this Private Security Authority in Tipperary town at the end of October. In the Budget Statement, there is no mention of a three-year timeframe. That was said outside the Dáil, not in it. Clearly, that was——

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——somewhat over-optimistic. Given the amount of work done and progress made, I would not use that to condemn the programme as a shambles or anything of the kind. Once people can see that the programme is going to roll, it will encourage further interest among those who may have been hanging back to see if it was really going to happen. My colleague, Senator Leyden, referred to the record...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Decentralisation was introduced then as a cost saving measure — as an economy — because costs were less down the country. I wish to deal with this nonsense about the national spatial strategy and decentralisation. I have said before, but it clearly needs to be repeated, that this was a very clear commitment given. It is a promise being delivered from the last election. The Fianna Fáil...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I do not think it was Fine Gael policy that decentralisation should only have gone to places which were hubs and gateways. I remember the chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary party circulating a note around various business offices almost the moment the announcement was made. I did not detect any objection, in principle——

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——that Tipperary was not a hub or a gateway. The Buchanan report recommended concentrating all development in a few large centres but people both inside and outside this House need to be reminded that this country is a democracy. Towns are not willing to allow their prospects to be written off.