Results 3,621-3,640 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Sep 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The peace process is about inclusion and that means including the DUP as much as Sinn Féin. Today's meeting is very important. If things go right in the next few weeks we might even be in a position to move beyond the peace process and achieve successful implementation. I congratulate our first woman Minister for Agriculture and Food.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Sep 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It is a very important step forward. We all know women have played a significant, if often not particularly recognised, part in farming over many years. I also congratulate the Tánaiste on her appointment as Minister for Health and Children. If any fear and trembling is to be done it might be in the Irish Hospital Consultants Association. In her previous incarnation, she has shown an ability...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (29 Sep 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, for bringing this important Bill through the House. I share the sentiments expressed by Senator Brian Hayes, particularly as it is almost 30 years to the day since I came through a Civil Service Commission examination. It is important that the spirit and ethos of the commission is maintained in the more flexible arrangements that are now required....

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I would like to commend to every Member a sentiment I discovered by chance a couple of weeks ago which is attributed to Thomas Francis Meagher, who brought home the tricolour, and which runs, "The prosperity of a nation requires the protection of a senate". I wish to pay tribute to the outstanding contribution of outgoing Ministers, particularly those who held the portfolios of Finance and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Far from there being any ideological drive for public private partnerships, most commentators would state that the country has been very slow, cautious and hesitant in that direction. This, in part, has been for very good reasons. We should approach this matter with an open mind. When occasion can be made for the use of public private partnerships, we should avail of them. However, I do not...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister. For a moment I thought I was going to be in the extremely comfortable position when speaking, of being wedged between the current and former Ministers. In 1958, Seán Lemass described the creation of Aer Lingus as his greatest achievement. He said the aeroplane was the real instrument of liberation for this country and, from that aspect, perhaps the single most...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: As Senator Brian Hayes said, the early autumn talks will be important if there is to be an early restoration of the institutions. The common sense of purpose within this House on the subject is deeply appreciated. It is encouraging from the point of view of participants that we have on the one hand a constructive speech by Mr. Jeffrey Donaldson and on the other efforts by Mr. Gerry Kelly to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I do not know what the Senator is shouting at me for.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Charlie Haughey would have approved.

Seanad: International Development Association (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (7 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Now.

Seanad: International Development Association (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for bringing this Bill to the House. We all welcome and support it.

Seanad: International Development Association (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: International Development Association (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (7 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State and this important Bill which has the advantage of binding the Minister for Finance directly and personally into the ODAF. The measure of ODAF contributions is not only funds from the Department of Foreign Affairs, be they bilateral or multilateral, it also involves funds from the Department of Agriculture and Food, the FAO, the Department of Finance and...

Seanad: International Development Association (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (7 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I read four volumes a long time ago.

Seanad: EU Presidency: Motion. (7 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I warmly congratulate the Minister of State, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Taoiseach, the other Ministers and the teams of civil servants in different Departments who made the Presidency such a success. It is a source of tremendous pride in the country and within the Oireachtas. Ireland has never had a bad Presidency and it has had a number of important Presidencies, particularly our...

Seanad: EU Presidency: Motion. (7 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Barron Report: Statements. (7 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister for Defence to the House. I congratulate the Taoiseach for commissioning the Barron report which was a very worthwhile exercise. I also congratulate the Sub-Committee on the Barron Report and Senator Jim Walsh, my colleague, on the work in carrying the investigations as far as possible at this time. I echo the respect to the Justice for the Forgotten group for pursuing...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I am afraid I am a little in sympathy with some of the trade unions to which Senator McDowell referred. There are ways, other than promotion, of rewarding people, for example, by giving them interesting and worthwhile jobs. Most matters in the public service involve teamwork. While there are important individual contributions and there may be occasions on which particular individuals can be...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Generally speaking, bonuses would not apply to public servants. What reward did most of the civil servants get who took part in the recent EU Presidency other than warm thanks and congratulations from the Taoiseach, his Ministers and the rest of us? I do not accept that special monetary bonuses should be used to pick out particular people. When I was in public service I did not like the fact...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I would be a socialist on this one.