Results 3,961-3,980 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

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

Martin Mansergh: That is a good idea.

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

Martin Mansergh: We must be clear in passing this legislation that we are adopting, in some instances, a highly artificial definition of a new entrant into the public service. I will give a specific example and feel the person concerned would not mind because it is objective fact. This person served in the Department of the Environment for 30 or 40 years and became Secretary General of that Department. The...

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

Martin Mansergh: It is an artificial definition.

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

Martin Mansergh: This is not a question of amending the Bill but a matter of justice. I have some reservations. Some extremely fit and capable middle ranking and senior gardaí must retire at the age of 60. In the interest of the public they should not necessarily have to do so. The question of fitness is a priority and an important criterion. However, I question the assumption that if one is a garda, one is...

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

Martin Mansergh: This reinforces the point I made. It confirms a provision that prison officers can serve until the age of 65. It appears the requirements in fitness terms for a prison officer are roughly the same as those for a garda. I am not sure why the retirement age for prison officers is 65 and for gardaí is 60. This is a justice matter rather than a matter for this Bill.

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

Martin Mansergh: Is that despite the 65 years mentioned in the Bill?

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

Martin Mansergh: Senator McDowell referred to the definition of the term "public servant". On Second Stage, I said I was pleased that, for the purposes of this Act, I have been a public servant for over 25 years and, as a Senator, I continue to be one. One might ask why the President and members of the Judiciary are not public servants because if Oireachtas Members are they are too. I assume the Senator is...

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

Martin Mansergh: Part of the dimension of the Bill is what one might call economic confidence. We are dealing well in advance with pensions that will create considerable liabilities for the public finances in 20 or 30 years' time. I accept the Senator's point that in practice many matters will be negotiated with the social partners.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The area has the Irish Film Centre.

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (25 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the legislation. It has resulted from, and is a vindication of, social partnership. Over a 60 year period we have developed a sophisticated labour relations machinery and culture which was well described earlier by the Minister of State. There are persistent problems and a degree of reluctance with regard to recognition of trade unions and this legislation is a means of dealing with...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (25 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: A Fianna Fáil-Labour coalition was the ideal solution.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: Come on.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: We need a bit of objectivity from the Opposition.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: It is public voting, not a secret ballot.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I support the calls from Senators Ryan, Ormonde and Fitzgerald for a debate on higher education. The public has a right to expect the House to discuss the issue of electronic voting with a degree of objectivity and in a less crude, less partisan spirit. As regards the point made by Senator Bradford, before we get too deeply into a discussion on a truth and reconciliation commission, I would...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The former Minister, Martin O'Donoghue, was actually responsible.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: The CSO's figures are more accurate.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003 [Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (24 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: We will register that.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003 [Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (24 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I congratulate the Minister on the way she brought the legislation through the House. It enhances the credibility of the democratic process and of the Seanad when, as a result of debate, some amendments for which good arguments have been made are accepted. In a spirit of cross-party co-operation, and because he asked me to, I thank the Minister on my behalf and that of Senator Brian Hayes and...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome this Bill. I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House. The precise purpose of the Bill is to avoid the sort of problems which have brought people on to the streets in France, Germany and Austria. I am particularly proud of the pension provisions that have been made by this Government, its immediate predecessor, and the party in Government to which I belong. In...