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

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It did not go ahead.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: We shall see. One cannot win them all.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Given the figures in recent years, no one could accuse the Government of being anti-public service. The public service has expanded and blossomed. I do not like the implication that public servants, per se, are less productive than others in the marketplace. I have equal respect for people who work in the private and public sectors. They both do essential jobs. The only difference is that in...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: If the bigger countries impose pressure to modify the pact, we should seek to ensure that any changes accommodate our interests. Speaking in the presence of the former Minister for Public Enterprise, I caution against the suggestion that we seek an exemption to fund public transport projects on the basis of our low level of debt. While I am in favour of public transport, I am against wasting...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Drawing lines on maps has always struck me as being fictional or utopian.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: That was an issue on which the tax strategy group, of which I was a member, was bypassed and wrong footed by the Minister. Nonetheless, I strongly support the measure. Perhaps, as the Minister half hinted earlier, there is scope for its extension to the social welfare system in due course. The change made then was a reflection of changing social reality. I remember being told by one of my...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Committee and Remaining Stages. (26 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I would be the last person to deny the underlying problems which Senator Higgins mentions. Getting young people into the housing market is a real problem. I hope one of the achievements of the Government over the next three or four years is the improvement of the affordability of houses. There is a sense of injustice in that it seems much more difficult for young people at roughly the same...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I agree with Senator Brian Hayes that we should have an opportunity to comment on significant observations by the Central Bank. We are taking the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill on Thursday, which will provide an opportunity to do so. No doubt the Finance Bill and the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will also provide an opportunity to do so to some...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister for Finance and his officials. I congratulate the Minister on bringing forward the Finance Bill 2003. I wish to comment on one or two points made by Senator Higgins. The Senator implied that the Celtic tiger could be revived if other parties were in Government, but I do not think such an idea is based on reality. The eight years of exceptional growth enjoyed by this...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I do not know where Senator Higgins came across the figure of 61,000 jobs that were assisted by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, but which he said have been lost in the last two years. The figure is three times larger than the number of redundancies in that time.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator needs to re-examine his figures. Investment remains quite strong, as companies are continuing to invest here. I accept that competitiveness is a constant challenge and that one can never afford to rest on one's laurels, but I do not think we are doing too badly on the competitiveness front. Ireland is not losing many jobs to Germany, for example. Senator Higgins spoke of a Third...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: —on a Third World railway. Having travelled from Kilkenny on my way back from a meeting of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body, I totally disagree with the Senator's opinion. The suggestion that this country is in the same financial position as it was between 1977 and 1981 is false because our economic and financial fundamentals have never been so strong. I believe they will remain...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: We are talking about areas of activity that have benefited tremendously from the vision of 30 years ago which led to the building up of an industry. Income tax is not the sole tax paid. Many indirect taxes are paid. While I have to declare an interest because I was nominated by the Irish Thorougbred Breeders Association, I have held my current view for some years. Senator McDowell may laugh...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It is because they are too valuable.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The rate referred to by the Senator relates to just one month's figures.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator should catch a plane.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I did not say that.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I did.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: That is true.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2003 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Second Stage. (25 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Perhaps it is trying to collect tax.