Results 4,341-4,360 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Having experienced difficulties of a somewhat analogous nature in Tipperary, I support the call made by Senator Higgins. There are three other matters on which there ought to be early debates. The first is Sustaining Progress, in which all the social partners are now involved and participating. The second involves the one mode of transport to which Senator Morrissey did not refer, namely, the...

Seanad: Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption: Motion. (7 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to share time with Senator O'Toole.

Seanad: Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption: Motion. (7 May 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Labour Party motion. It is useful to have a pre-legislative debate on matters such as this as the introduction of measures sometimes has undesirable effects. The extension of licensing hours has, for example, led to many public order problems. At the same time we must avoid showing too much puritanical zeal as there is a balance to be struck between the freedom to do things and...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements. (16 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Leader and the Opposition leaders for this opportunity to address this important issue. Our support goes to the Taoiseach, the British Prime Minister and all the parties and officials involved. I know from experience how long, protracted and difficult these discussions can be. However, in the end they proved fruitful. When we look back over ten or 15 years, we can see that...

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital: Motion. (16 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words and substitute the following: "That Seanad Éireann confirms its support for the proposal of the Minister of State at the Department of Finance to use funds raised by the sale of Office of Public Works (OPW) property at Lad Lane in Dublin in the manner set out by him in his recent statement namely: the funding of fit-out works for regional office...

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital: Motion. (16 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: One cannot compare oranges and lemons. There are many priorities in several different areas. One might suggest stopping the road building programme and divert all that money elsewhere. Government has to decide on a balance between different priorities. As I understand it, work on the Central Mental Hospital is under way and a committee has reported. As regards Garda stations, the Minister of...

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (3 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I warmly welcome the Minister and I welcome his important statement. There is no difference in the priority given by both Government parties in tackling the areas of justice and crime and giving them the resources and political attention they needs. Fianna Fáil will be giving the Minister the same amount of support that his party gave his predecessor, Deputy O'Donoghue. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I support Senator Ó Murchú and others regarding 16 Moore Street. A more general principle is involved, namely, a requirement that some kind of certification be provided by an appropriate body regarding those buildings which are historic and those which are not. These matters should not be left to the casual decision of an official who may or may not be historically aware.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Regardless of its merits, with which I will deal in a moment, the placing of the amendment in the preliminary section of the Bill is extraordinary. It is an amendment of some substance and this is clearly the wrong place for it. I have not worked out where it should go, but to put a matter of substance like this in the preliminary section is a fairly extraordinary piece of drafting.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: To come to the substance of the matter, despite a difficulty a few years ago the Government has good and close relations with the credit union movement and deeply appreciates and values the good work the credit union movement does in practically every town. There are ongoing meetings between the credit union movement and the Department of Finance and, where necessary, the Government. If...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I was going to make the same point as the Minister of State in much shorter form, but I prudently decided to listen to his explanation first. The authority has different parts and it is important not to confuse their functions. All the concerns contained in Senator Phelan's amendments are perfectly legitimate and well founded, but it is a question not of ends but of means. As the Minister of...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State's commitment to codification and consolidation which is always desirable in voluminous legislation that may cover several Acts. I appreciate his argument. Given the length and complexity of the Bill and all the interests involved, it would not be appropriate to put a particular deadline on it. The Minister has given a commitment, in principle, that this will be...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Given that further complexities could arise when trying to carry out the task, one should be somewhat cautious of the commitments made.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Senator John Phelan raised a more general question about honouring commitments. I presume he is referring to commitments – fairly limited in character – made at the time of the last general election.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I would like to say one more thing in reply. Whether commitments have been honoured is best judged over a five year period. It is far to soon to judge.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator does no justice to the current Minister for Finance or any future Minister from whatever party. The notion that any Minister for Finance would appoint the chairman of the Ballygobackwards cumann to the board of this authority is absurd—

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: —unless that person was also a great financial expert. There is nothing wrong in a democracy with being a member of a political party—

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: —and that should not necessarily diminish a person. There are few more important State bodies than this one which is absolutely vital for confidence. The stability of the banking system and investment confidence are so vital that any Minister for Finance would always have great care and concern that the people appointed to the board would have the confidence, particularly of those who have...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The amendment is entirely superfluous and is based on a demeaning assumption not only of the present Minister, but anyone who might be appointed Minister for Finance in the future.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (2 Apr 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I should clarify that I was caricaturing the Senator's fears. I was not implying, and I have not encountered, any Ballygobackwards cumann in the Fianna Fáil Party. Senator Phelan would have to be more specific. I am not aware of any instance where anyone other than highly qualified people have been appointed to a body such as the board of the Central Bank. I do not accept that the fears...