Results 4,481-4,500 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (12 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Deputy John Bruton for his stimulating speech and pay tribute to the quality of the contribution of his advocacy for the European Union, something he shares in common with his two predecessors as Leader of Fine Gael. The quality of its advocacy is something about which the party can be really proud. I agree entirely with what the Deputy said on the state and super-state. He may have...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator should accept the Chair's ruling.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator should have respect for the Chair.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Speech.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I am not sure we are fully at the races here today.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: We will be discussing a Bill, the central principle of which is hardly contested by anybody, viz. that memoranda to Government should be released after ten years instead of five.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: It is a question of what the logical implications of that are.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: We should try to keep this in perspective. I would wish there were Ministers here from the relevant Department—

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: —but as Wolfe Tone used to say, "'Tis but in vain for soldiers to complain." As my good friend, Deputy Noel Davern, who gave me an excellent tip for the first race this afternoon, said—

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: May I finish the point? The Irish people, a Chathaoirligh, may be in Cheltenham more in spirit than otherwise.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: With due respect to my esteemed fellow Senator from County Tipperary, I hope it will be possible to have a reasoned debate on the Bill. Second Stage has concluded. The purpose of Committee Stage is to see if there are ways of improving the Bill—

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to develop my argument about the nonsensicalness, in parliamentary terms, of this argument. The principle of the Bill, for better or worse, has been—

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: —voted on by the House. This debate, therefore, is about improving the Bill. This section is purely a reference to the Act which it is amending. It makes no sense to oppose or amend something that simply refers to what the Bill is about. I ask the Senator to consider withdrawing her opposition. One needs to be a little selective in one's opposition.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: So is the Senator.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I see.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: So do we.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: I would like to make a point for the benefit of Senator Brian Hayes. Even if he believes that the description of the legislation is a misnomer, we are referring to the previous Act and, therefore, it does not make any sense because we are confusing what we are doing now with what was done then. This section refers to the 1997 Act, so it does not make any sense to oppose it. I would much...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: All the digressions are coming from the Senator.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: Reference was made by one of the Senators opposite to this being a farce, it is certainly a farce to enter into this type of discussion in relation to section 1, the agreeing of which, regardless of whether one likes what is contained in the Bill, should be a formality. The report being referred to is utterly irrelevant to the section.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Mar 2003)

Martin Mansergh: If we spend this amount of time discussing the section, we will certainly have plenty of time to absorb the report before we reach the sections to which it refers. It is worth pointing out that the Information Commissioner is a public servant which means he is a servant of the Houses of the Oireachtas and subject to the legislation that we choose to pass. He has issued four reports on the...