Results 3,941-3,960 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: As Fianna Fáil finance spokesperson, I welcome the Bill. The 5% increase in motor vehicle tax was included in the budget and is moderate. I can remember discussions in the tax strategy group apropos of green taxation in which there would have been advocates for a much a greater increase. Motor tax is a highly progressive system of taxation. The poorest in our society do not own cars and...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The real point about the budget, including increases such as the 5% on motor vehicle tax and various other charges that have been mentioned, is how little, not how much, was added to the tax burden. The Opposition has been trying to sell the argument of stealth taxes, but that is a phrase that has been brought in from another jurisdiction.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The real achievement of the budget was that there was negligible increase in taxes. There is every sign that the people appreciate that and, what is more, as we can see from yesterday's figures, revenue is clearly buoyant. On the source of the problem on non-national roads, we came from a base in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s of many non-national roads not being tarred at all, which I remember...

Seanad: Address by Mr. John Hume, MEP. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It is a great privilege to have amongst us the person whom history will undoubtedly judge as the greatest statesman to come out of the North of Ireland during a troubled and difficult period. His career has been the embodiment of the values of the civil rights movement — what Senator Ryan called the creative power of non-violent struggle — and he stands in the honourable tradition of The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The comments of Senators Brian Hayes, O'Toole and Ryan about electronic voting show why the issue should never have been politicised. The introduction of electronic voting confers no advantage on any party in this House——

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2004)

Martin Mansergh: ——a Government party or the Opposition. It is absolutely politically neutral. I am certain that when the Bill is published, it will contain severe penalties for anyone who would tamper with or manipulate it in any manner whatsoever. I am glad the Exchequer returns show a healthy picture because that means in the medium and long term there will more money to support all the community projects.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I agree with Senator McDowell's analysis and for that reason I believe it is a sensible provision.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: May I say one thing?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The Chair allowed the Senator before me to speak. May I just take 30 seconds?

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Yes, but I would like to make a response to the debate. I accept the argument the Minister of State put forward. The existence or not of pensions is not a substantial motive for people entering politics.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I warmly thank the Minister and his staff for conducting this debate, which has taken place over the past two days. It was an interesting and instructive debate in which I enjoyed participating. It raised a number of issues that may need to be dealt with in months and years to come both in these Houses and in other forums. It has thrown light on many issues.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: We lost a Deputy and gained a Leader. On my observation, political families are still flourishing. Long may that——

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I cannot support either of these amendments in the precise form in which they are drafted. However, the amendments do contain points of substance. I am not quite sure why the age of 60 is included in the amendment. I do not know at what age people entered the teaching profession 40 years ago. I admire teaching and think it is an exceptionally demanding occupation — 40 years would probably...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I have two observations on what has been said. Social conditions change and, therefore, terms of employment change. While Senator O'Toole has been most eloquent, he is speaking more as a trade union leader for politicians than as a politician. Amendment put.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I agree. There is much sense in this amendment. If there is any flaw it is perhaps that it refers to an almost unlimited break, which raises the question of whether that is desirable. If the break is a relatively short one of a year or up to four years, there is much prima facie sense in the amendment. I look forward to the Minister of State's reply.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: That is a bit hard.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: At this point, it may be time to hear from somebody who resigned from the public service about 23 years ago.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: In one sense it was final. Having entered by way of competition, I could not re-enter in the same way. However, some months later I was appointed as a political adviser, which was somewhat different. I am not sure whether that is constituted as a new entrant under the terms of the legislation. Another case bothers me somewhat. People, who did not resign voluntarily but were forced to resign...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The Minister's reply on the matter of the marriage bar raises an interesting, if largely theoretical, question. A person who comes back into the public service through a special scheme and resumes employment after 30 years will, unlike his or her contemporaries, have the right to go on serving past the age of 65. We might have a small early crop, not in 40 years but in five or ten years, of...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: That could be something for the next social partnership negotiations.