Results 3,841-3,860 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Perhaps the masters of those hospitals found themselves in an awkward spotlight that they had not anticipated. As the Minister said, they did not urge him to hold a referendum or provide him with the wording for it, but they did ask that something should be done. It was then up to the Minister and the Government to work out what that was but, obviously, very little could be done without...

Seanad: Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The people of Northern Ireland are so defined in annexe B of the Agreement, so what we are doing is entirely consistent. The British Government has reinforced that in a joint statement and, therefore, there are no Northern implications. There will be no rioting on the Falls Road or the Shankill Road when this measure is passed. There are internal arguments going on in the North as to whether...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I agree with Senator Ryan that it is quite improper for an advertisement by the Referendum Commission to be published before this Bill has even started to be debated in this House. As one who was present in Gothenburg for an ordinary European Council and who witnessed the main street being wrecked by rioters for no good reason, one cannot take lightly threats that come about and therefore I...

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I agree with my colleague, Senator Callanan, and compliment him on his excellent speech. The only point on which we differ was his statement that where Cork leads, others follow, which was not quite right. He should have said, where Tipperary leads, others follow.

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials who have done an excellent job in recent years. As an official at some European Council meetings at which this issue was raised, I had an opportunity to observe their work at close quarters. One of the positive developments for the future has been the agreement until 2013 on financing for the existing member states, which I hope will offer a...

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: We did okay.

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The Green Party has a very strong position——

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——on the nitrates directive and live exports.

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Until now the Green Party has opposed all EU treaties. It will be interesting to see what position it takes when the constitutional treaty is voted on.

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Although the matter is not directly relevant to farming, the Green Party is completely opposed to building one-off houses in the countryside. Come the next election, the public will want to know what policies the parties will take on such issues. Is it the case that the Green Party will simply abandon all its positions for the sake of entering Government?

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: If that is not the case, the public will ask what influence the party will have on farming policy because it is extremely interested in that issue.

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: In certain European countries the Greens have insisted on taking over the job. In one country they have abolished the post of Minister for Agriculture.

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: That is exactly the point. It is essential that there are coherent agreed positions so that the electorate can judge the alternatives. That is what the Minister of State is trying to do and I agree with him. Agriculture has been run in a very efficient manner for some years and that is largely due to the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Walsh, and the Ministers of State who have...

Seanad: Agriculture: Statements. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator will have to take that up with his future Green allies.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Senator O'Toole misrepresents our party's policy.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I support the comments of Senators Leyden and Finucane. At the end of the week we will welcome ten new member states into the European Union. I hope we will have celebrations and demonstrations of welcome for this event, rather than protests. As Fianna Fáil finance spokesman, I am concerned that we must spend considerable sums of money on security. I hope there is no Irish person who does...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: That is very far-fetched.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I am very glad that voices on all sides of this House have contributed to a reconsideration of widows' benefit. It shows the value of debating legislation properly in this House. An ability to correct one's position when, upon full reflection, it is found that it may not be tenable, is a great political strength and not a weakness.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: On a technical point, last week a subcommittee of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights issued its consideration of the Barron report. Since that report was made to the two Houses of the Oireachtas, for the Government to take that further it must be debated in both the Dáil and the Seanad. I therefore ask the Leader to arrange that at an early date so it might...

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Potentially it was.