Results 3,721-3,740 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: A promise kept.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: That was a rapid response the Senator received.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: If so, why are we having this debate now?

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: They are looking after Fine Gael as well.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: That is much appreciated.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The charge is far more serious than that.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I warmly welcome the positive tone of Senator Finucane's contribution. Both of us come from the west Munster region where it has been warmly welcomed across the board. I welcome the Minister of State and his officials and compliment the Minister of State on the energy and vigour he is bringing to this task. In two or three years' time I look forward to him saying one can pay a visit to the...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It was to go to substantial well-located towns that were not necessarily able to attract industry. That is what happened. One still reads editorials about the national spatial strategy. If one takes all the decentralisation programmes together — there were a couple of phases in the early 1990s — every hub and gateway has decentralised offices. The concept of a hub and gateway is that...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: This is for the benefit of the country, which is far more important than the benefit to any party. I know that is the view in my part of the country and the view of the chairman of Senator Bannon's parliamentary party. It is the consensus among all political parties in the Tipperary area. I welcome the debate on this motion and I look forward to hearing the Minister give a progress report.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: We need to improve the train service.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator should wait until later when he has heard some of them speak.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: A member of one of the Orange societies in the North said to me a couple of months ago that he likes to turn on "Oireachtas Report" as a cure for insomnia. One can take that any way one wishes but he also expressed a preference for the Seanad. Whether it puts him to sleep quicker than the Dáil, I am not quite sure. It is interesting that we are holding this debate on a day when we have...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I might have some difficulty following the consistency of political philosophy but there may be a very considerable consistency of business philosophy. Before proceeding I wish to congratulate and compliment the authors of the report on a fine, comprehensive survey. The chapter on functions is a very important part of the report and in broad principle I agree with all the recommendations...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: There are three areas I wish to cover regarding composition. I agree with the recommendation that the university seats be kept. It might be hard to defend in principle, but one is defending it in practice. There is no doubt the university Senators, to this day, make a fine contribution to our deliberations. I accept the Seanad should have been reformed long ago, given the way we voted in...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I do not have to declare an interest; it is obvious. The only point I would make about the system, and I would not necessarily die in the ditches for the existing system, is it has some merits that should be recognised.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It has a certain integrity of principle in that 43 Members are elected by the people whom the people elect. The French have the exact same system of Senators being elected by councillors and representatives of municipal authorities, although the electorate is much larger numerically. It also provides a genuine democratic election to the extent that very few people are guaranteed election. It...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (2 Jun 2004)

Martin Mansergh: In a tight situation, it could arise that the majority in the House might change. However, we lived through the 1994 to 1997 period without any constitutional crisis arising. At that stage, there was a rainbow Government in power but Fianna Fáil held a majority in the Seanad. That is a great tribute to the good sense of the Seanad. I wish those who will be carrying Seanad reform forward all...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: We had it a few weeks ago.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It is being dealt with by the central review committee.

Seanad: Housing Provisions: Motion. (26 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Vikings.