Results 381-400 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Tourism Industry: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Deputy Upton and the Labour Party for putting down this Private Members' motion to facilitate a three-hour debate on tourism. The tourism industry, all Members agree, is an important indigenous economic sector which has the potential to contribute to Ireland's economic recovery. Several suggestions and proposals made by Deputies during the debate's course will be further considered....

Tourism Industry: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Some weeks ago I had much pleasure in opening the Clancy Brothers Music Festival in Carrick-on-Suir. The next stop is Bantry on Sunday, where we have booked into concerts from 10 a.m. to midnight at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival. Throughout the summer there is something somewhere to everyone's tastes and so far the weather has been good.

National Monuments (22 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Skellig Michael is a unique place. It is the best-preserved and most spectacularly situated early Christian monastic site in the world. Visiting it is a uniquely memorable experience; I visited it twice, once with my mother, once with my son. Most of the structures are in excellent condition, giving it an unusually high level of authenticity. Its importance is recognised internationally,...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (22 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: To date, a total of €746,500 in funding has been allocated to Kilkenny County Council under the ongoing OPW scheme which commenced in 2009 to provide funding to local authorities to carry out minor mitigation works to address localised flooding problems. Funds were allocated in respect of projects at Kilmacow, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown, Callan, Mullinavat and Gowran. The Council also...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (22 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works has a guide service on Skellig Michael between mid/late May and late September/early October each year. The island is officially open during this period. The Safety Review of Skellig Michael which has recently been published recommends that the official opening period for Skellig Michael should be advertised publicly, and safety literature draws attention to the...

Written Answers — Remediation of Industrial Sites: Remediation of Industrial Sites (17 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 56 together. In mid-April 2010, the Office of Public Works (OPW) convened the first meeting of the Working Group set up to develop a structured and coherent approach to the further management and development of the site at Haulbowline. The Terms of Reference for this Working Group are as follows: 1. to consult with the Department of Defence and the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: As announced by the Minister in this 2009 Budget Statement of 14 October 2008, the Government decided to review aspects of the decentralisation programme in 2011. The Commissioners of Public Works had purchased sites at 11 locations that are the subject of 2011 review. The outcome of this review will inform how the development of these sites will be progressed. Details of the 11 locations...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: As announced by the Minister in this 2009 Budget Statement of 14 October 2008, the Government decided to review aspects of the decentralisation programme in 2011. The Commissioners of Public Works had purchased sites at 11 locations that are the subject of 2011 review. The outcome of this review will inform how the development of these sites will be progressed. Details of the 11 locations...

Banking Reports: Motion (16 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: That there is a need to learn and internalise the lessons of the crisis we have been experiencing is not disputed on either side of the House. This evening, we have started to debate the two excellent reports on the crisis. Of course, the reports do not represent the whitewash that was predicted by some Deputies. The motion proposed by Fine Gael is politically focused. The reality is that...

Banking Reports: Motion (16 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I am not quite sure about it. There was something of a crash in the 1980s, although it was disguised.

Banking Reports: Motion (16 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: There was a great depression in the late 1870s, although it was mainly the landlords who suffered.

Banking Reports: Motion (16 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Tenants suffered in places like Mayo. Reference has been made to various incentives. A Deputy on the other side of the House was right to say that the former Minister, Charlie McCreevy, claims credit for the seaside resorts scheme. However, it was Deputy Kenny, as Minister for Tourism and Trade, who introduced the scheme. I suggest that it was one of the less satisfactory property...

Industrial Development (16 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. Waterford has a long and strong track record as a centre of manufacturing expertise. It is also an important transport hub. It has an excellent institute of technology, with higher ambitions. It is the capital of the south-east...

Industrial Development (16 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I will just finish the last couple of paragraphs, if I can. Some of the other replies are shorter.

Industrial Development (16 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: My priority is to ensure that the business environment is supportive of Irish enterprise generally and that we continue to attract high-value foreign direct investment and assist the development of indigenous industry. In addition, the Government has taken decisive action to restore the flow of credit to business, particularly small and medium enterprises, which are the main source of...

Hospital Services (16 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I am replying to this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children. All incidents of this kind are serious and are treated as such. They are distressing to the women and families involved and I express my sincerest sympathies to all those affected. On 7 August 2009, solicitors for the couple concerned wrote to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, seeking certain assurances...

Hospital Services (16 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I will take the Adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not possible, the HSE supports access to quality, long-term residential care where appropriate. In...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (16 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Engineering staff from the Office of Public Works and Kilkenny County Council met in 2009 to assess the flooding problem in Ballyragget. It was agreed that the Council would prepare and submit a detailed report on the flooding problem to the OPW to enable the matter to be considered further. The OPW is awaiting this report. It would be open to the Council to submit an application for...

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome this opportunity to express full confidence in the Taoiseach and Government, courtesy of Fine Gael. No doubt they will take care in future to check out the possibility of a clash of engagements. The Fine Gael motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach was an instant response to the publication of two major reports into the causes of the banking and financial crisis before most people...

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I am afraid not. I am not making a ministerial opening statement. I will happily give the Deputy a copy afterwards. Government by opinion poll is quite impossible, especially in difficult times. I am incredulous that anyone aspiring to be in government should treat an opinion poll as a catalyst for anything, especially one that stretched core votes of 16%, 21% and 22% respectively to 17%,...