Results 4,221-4,240 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I regard this motion as largely academic. The Opposition motion shows a lack of appreciation for the work done in the public service. The public service, specifically the Civil Service, will put in an enormous amount of additional work into our forthcoming Presidency of the European Union. We have a relatively small public service compared with most other countries. Our teachers have larger...

Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Fine Gael Party should reconsider its subliminal attitude to the public service. I support the amendment and oppose the original motion.

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Railway Derailment. (8 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I am thankful, as are we all, that the serious, even spectacular, rail accident in Cahir involved no loss of life or injuries. In that respect it was better than the previous accident in the same place in 1955, details of which are recorded in photograph books in County Tipperary. It is a busy line, despite impressions given to the contrary, and it is especially so at this time of the year...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Railway Derailment. (8 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The Seanad adjourned at 8.40 p.m. until 10.30a.m. on Thursday, 9 October 2003.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

Martin Mansergh: There will be no sacking.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: In rare cases.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I am delighted with the evidence that the Government has appointed forthright, courageous and independent officers. I would be happy to engage in debate on the prisons issue. The standard charge for non-personal FOI requests is €15, which is modest. The number who will want to make further appeals will be limited. One of the jobs of this House is to scrutinise the activities of European...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I support the suggestion from Senator Ryan. When orders are placed before the House it would be helpful if they were available for consultation outside with perhaps a short summary note on what they are about. The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service discussed the Civil Service code of conduct but it would be fair to inform the House about these matters in case anybody wishes to...

Seanad: Forfás Consumer Pricing Report 2003: Statements. (2 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials. The reduction of the annualised rate of inflation to 3.7% is good news that the trend is positive. Much of this is due to outside factors such as the fall in international oil prices once the uncertainty over the Middle East situation was clarified and also the strength of the euro. The matter was discussed this morning on the Order of...

Seanad: Forfás Consumer Pricing Report 2003: Statements. (2 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It is high time we stopped it. While various parties have had cosy relationships with lawyers in the past, we must consider the public interest. I cannot see how the public interest is served where the law is, in effect, inaccessible to anyone other than the big battalions, be they individuals or firms. Mention was made by my colleague, Senator Leyden, of the advertisements of a person whose...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements. (2 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: How long do I have?

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements. (2 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Do I have five minutes?

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements. (2 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister and congratulate him and his team of officials on their success, by no means for the first time, in overcoming difficult negotiating hurdles, to all intents and purposes preserving the interests both of the farming sector and, simultaneously, the country at large. I sometimes believe our farm organisations do not always give the Minister credit, to put it mildly, for...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (2 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I made my views known on this point yesterday. There is an implicit recognition in the legislation in section 9(1), if one is being logical about it, that the deputy chairperson must be a Senator and a fortiori cathaoirleach in all but the most exceptional circumstances. I would have preferred this to have been stated explicitly for the reasons outlined by my colleagues.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (2 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It was clear from the debate yesterday that all who were present had a united view on this issue. I did some research on the Government offices that have number twos. The Attorney General's Office has a Director General and a Deputy Director General. The CSO has two Directors. The Civil Service Commission has a Chairman and two Commissioners. The Department of Communications, Marine and...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages. (2 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I forgot I was not supposed to mention a Member of the other House. I apologise and withdraw that remark. This is not a matter we will let drop in the future.

Seanad: Nuclear Safety: Motion. (2 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the motion and the all-party spirit of it. I have been with this issue off and on for the best part of 20 years. I have a vivid memory from 1986 when Charles Haughey, as Leader of the Opposition in the Dáil, forged by force of character an all-party motion on the closure of Sellafield. Since then, there has been an all-party position on the subject. I commend the efforts of...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (1 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I made the point on Second Stage that the deputy chairman should be the Cathaoirleach, for reasons that were stated. At that stage the Bill referred to the 'acting chairman' but it is proposed to change that. It is implicit in section 9(1) of the Bill which states: If Dáil Eireann is dissolved, the chairperson, or, if the chairperson is unable to perform his or her function, the acting...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (1 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It is in the margin, "Dissolution of Dáil Eireann and Seanad Éireann".

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (1 Jul 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I accept that, but I was pointing out an error in the margin.