Results 3,541-3,560 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

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

Martin Mansergh: The national spatial strategy mentioned decentralisation once and only in passing. It was primarily about the private sector activity — industry, services and infrastructure — which was needed. Decentralisation is complementary to the national spatial strategy. In any case, if one thinks about it, not all activity is concentrated in gateways and hubs with no activity elsewhere. A hub...

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

Martin Mansergh: Nearly all the hubs and gateways have experienced decentralisation from previous programmes. If one considers the entire decentralisation programme, including past actions and the present scheme, it constitutes a well-balanced programme. I am aware of the significant difference that an announcement of decentralisation and the prospect of its implementation has made to Tipperary town. A number...

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

Martin Mansergh: The prospect of decentralisation has given great confidence to the area. The Opposition is completely misreading the situation——

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

Martin Mansergh: ——if its members continue to criticise the programme. They are not doing their areas any service——

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

Martin Mansergh: ——by encouraging people to moan and worry. The programme is making good progress and I again congratulate the Minister of State on the progress made during the year.

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

Martin Mansergh: I encourage the Minister of State to continue in the same vein and look forward to the second round of announcements next March.

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

Martin Mansergh: I did both.

Seanad: Council of Europe Development Bank Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (25 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I refute in the strongest possible terms any notion of cronyism. This is very much a public service function. As the Minister of State said, there is no question of any lobbying for anybody and there is no salary attached. It is something performed in the course of public service duties. We should not over-glamourise and over-romanticise the function.

Seanad: Council of Europe Development Bank Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (25 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Ireland is represented by public servants every day on all sorts of boards, committees and organisations. Whether it is appropriate to appoint a politician or public servant depends in part on the nature of the body in question, how political it is and the approach taken by other countries. If other countries are, without exception, putting forward as their representatives officials of their...

Seanad: Council of Europe Development Bank Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (25 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Minister of State for steering the Bill through the House. Following our interesting debate this morning, Senators will agree that this is important legislation which pushes out the boat with regard to our involvement and solidarity with countries in eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Some three weeks ago the offices of the Private Security Authority were opened in Tipperary. Senator Coonan might not be aware of that advanced decentralisation.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I have made inquiries and have received assurances from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform that its decentralisation to Tipperary is going ahead. There will be a report next March.

Seanad: Council of Europe Development Bank Bill 2004: Second Stage. (25 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I welcome the Bill. The Council of Europe is probably the oldest post-Second World War European institution, along with the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation. Ireland has been a member of the council since the beginning, unlike the European Union, which we joined somewhat later. Although the European Union has expanded and...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: That is how the Maynooth line was opened by the late Brian Lenihan and Albert Reynolds. They decided that with an investment of a few hundred thousand pounds, the line could be re-opened. Let us make maximum use of the existing infrastructure. However, I am realistic enough to know rail will not solve the problem. I refer to the archaeological issues. We have an awful tendency to examine...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Whichever Minister is responsible, it is ultimately the Government that makes the decision which could have serious ramifications. I urge care and caution in coming to the right decision.

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I approach this subject with caution. I will first deal with the transport issues. The N3 is congested and a road to Navan, built to at least motorway standard, is needed, although a legitimate question has been raised, which can also be raised about all motorways, which is what happens when one reaches the M50. We all know that one spends at least three quarters of an hour getting to one's...

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2005: Statements. (24 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I look forward to seeing and reading the Fine Gael Party's root and branch reforms of public spending. It will be interesting to note the extent to which such reforms will be agreed with other possible partners. I warmly welcome the Minister and the Book of Estimates. The Estimates form part of a four stage process, the next stages of which are the budget, followed by the Revised Book of...

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2005: Statements. (24 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Any socialist would be proud of that.

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2005: Statements. (24 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Those things have not always been achieved by socialist methods. For example, the cutting of capital gains tax from 40% to 20%——

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2005: Statements. (24 Nov 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——goes completely against the grain of a certain type of thinking although it produces far more revenue. The philosophy behind such thinking is that if it does not hurt it does not work and if the pips do not squeak that is not good enough. The Taoiseach's basic point which the media did not pick up well, is that one creates wealth first and then redistributes it.