Results 3,741-3,760 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

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

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State and express my respect for his commitment to this area of policy. I know from a previous capacity and having attended many meetings where housing policy was discussed what an important part of the Government's agenda it has been for several years. There has been a certain amount of trial and error. One must decide whether the best course is to interfere with or...

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

Martin Mansergh: Work is being done. To return to Carrick-on-Suir, last week when opening a very fine public housing development, the Minister announced a big refurbishment scheme for older estates. All I am doing is underlining the importance of resources so that people can be proud of where they live. Most of these houses were pretty solidly built in the beginning but some money should be spent on them. In...

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

Martin Mansergh: It appears to make houses affordable but it could easily get swallowed up in the price. The Exchequer will be poorer but buyers will not be better off. Reference was made to development levies. We must be realistic. None of us wants to see exorbitant development levies but there are costs associated——

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

Martin Mansergh: ——with the building and development of housing. It is not just the house but the surrounding area, the streetscape etc. that need to be considered. Funding must be provided for this. If that is not going to be done through a development levy, could the Senator please tell the House what other form of taxation will provide the money? My final point concerns anyone of my generation who is a...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (26 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State. We all have an interest in the successful implementation of the national health strategy. I agree with my colleague, Senator Ó Murchú. Despite what I read about problems in the health service, the experience of those close to me has been, on the whole, good. They have not experienced the health service as the lurid disaster area depicted in the media....

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I would like the House to discuss, particularly taking account of the groups that will protest outside today, the appropriate fiscal response to the rise in oil prices to hauliers and drivers. While it would be superficially attractive to have the Exchequer act as a cushion, it would blunt the signals. There is evidence that the rise in oil prices is related to long-term supply difficulties...

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Some of them are not taxes at all.

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: We have done that.

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Hospital charges are not a tax.

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ESB charges are not a tax.

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: They are not a tax.

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: They are not taxes.

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It is once every ten years.

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: We are tenth.

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The figure is 164,000.

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: No, they are not.

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The economy is an appropriate issue.

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: This is a debate on the economy, not the economy of time.

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister and thank Senators for their contributions to the debate. As is frequently the case, the Independent Senators, particularly Senators Ross and O'Toole, made very good speeches. Discussing the economy at regular intervals is important and not a waste of time. Economic success is not only good news for the Government but also for the country. We have a right to be proud of...

Seanad: Public Finances: Motion. (12 May 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator should have a word with Mr. Phil Flynn. There is no clearer democratic mandate to carry this out. As a former civil servant, I note that a duty of civil servants, who obviously have to point out all the difficulties and ramifications, is to implement Government policy for which there is a clear mandate. On the basis of conversations I have had, I am sure they will do so, despite...