Results 441-460 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Arts in Education (18 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Senator Keaveney for raising this topic. I am replying on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Deputy Mary Hanafin. I thank the Senator for her very useful and passionate contribution to this topic. I am aware from her many previous interventions in this area, not to mention her background, that the question of arts in education is very important to...

Seanad: Arts in Education (18 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Until recently, some banks played a significant role in the sponsorship of the arts. Putting on my other hat as Minister of State at the Department of Finance, I do not think it is realistic to think banks are selling their art collections solely for the purpose of sponsoring the arts in education. I suspect they have rather more pressing financial requirements. I want to be realistic on...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (13 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works (OPW) received representations from Cork County Council in 2005 in relation to flooding in the Ballingeary / Inchigeela area. Following consultations with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the OPW carried out substantial channel cleaning works downstream of Inchigeela in 2005 and 2006. The...

Seanad: National Monuments (13 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Senator for raising the issue of the Grianan of Aileach, which I visited first in the late 1970s as a private individual with my wife, and which I visited as a Minister of State in the company of the Senator's colleague, Deputy Blaney, last November. The heritage services of the Office of Public Works are responsible for managing and maintaining more than 750 national monuments...

Seanad: National Monuments (13 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: At this time of year, it becomes dark at 9.30 p.m. In June and July it would still be light at 9.30 p.m. We are just coming into the period-----

Seanad: National Monuments (13 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: That will extend shortly. I will make inquiries about it.

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services (13 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I am taking this Adjournment Matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and thank the Senator for raising it. The transformation programme for the north-east region involves widespread and fundamental change. It is designed to build a health system that is in line with the model of care emerging internationally. This can be achieved by...

Seanad: Accident and Emergency Services (13 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I have some experience of the HSE in south Tipperary. I have come across various formulations of services. I am speaking for myself, not the Minister for Health and Children, but the Senator can take it that these phrases have been carefully formulated in order that hostages to fortune will not be given and that they will be capable of accommodating changes. I am afraid that that is,...

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I thank all Senators who contributed to what has been in the main a constructive debate. The Government and leaders of congress decided in March that, to boost our prospects of economic recovery and in the interests of those reliant on public services who would be affected by significant industrial action, an agreed way forward is best. The agreement creates the framework for the public...

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Those who believe they can smash this Republic, however they describe it, greatly under-estimate, as many have during the decades, the strength of Irish democracy and the commitment of people to it. Senator Boyle stated this is a time for all sides to come to a common understanding on how to solve the problems facing us. We need public service reform which will be of great benefit to us....

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I attended a dentist's office earlier this week.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (12 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Longford and Westmeath County Councils submitted a number of applications for funding under the minor flood mitigation works scheme administered by the Office of Public Works. Sums totalling €201,936 and €520,071 respectively have been allocated to the Councils in 2010 on foot of applications that meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme. It will be open to the Councils to submit...

Seanad: Code of Conduct for Civil Servants: Motion (12 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I am pleased to respond to the motion on behalf of the Government. I congratulate Senator Boyle and the Green Party Senators for tabling it and also every Senator who has contributed to the debate. Their contributions were excellent and highlighted some of the complexities and nuances of the issue. The Civil Service code of standards and behaviour provides, inter alia, that civil servants...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (11 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works have commissioned consultants to carry out a Flood Study on the Dunkellin river and its tributaries. The study, which is expected to be completed in June 2010, will identify practical mitigation measures to reduce the flood risk in the catchment. A programme of works will then be drawn up and circulated to all stakeholders including the National Parks and Wildlife...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (11 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: Tender documents are scheduled to be available in late May 2010, following which competitive bids will be sought. The Office of Public Works expects to place a contract and to make substantial progress onsite in the second half of the year.

Pension Provisions (6 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Deputy Barrett for raising this issue. Approved retirement funds, ARFs, are funds managed by a qualifying fund manager into which an individual can invest the proceeds of their pension fund when they retire. Income and gains of an ARF are exempt from tax and social insurance within the fund. Any amounts withdrawn from an ARF are referred to as a distribution, which is treated as...

Dublin Inner City Partnership (6 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Deputy Creighton for raising this issue. In 2009, Dublin Inner City Partnership, DICP as it is referred to, was allocated some €1.1 million under the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Local Development Social Inclusion Programme, LDSIP, to implement measures tackling social and economic exclusion in Dublin's inner city. That funding was provided through Pobal,...

Planning and Construction Investigation (6 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, would like to thank Deputy Broughan for raising this important matter which was also addressed in a parliamentary question on 20 April 2010. Specific responsibility for the planning and delivery of the North Fringe development rests with the local authorities involved, Dublin City Council and Fingal County...

Personal Indebtedness (6 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Deputy Behan for raising this issue. The Government is fully aware of the level of personal indebtedness in Ireland and the difficulties faced by individuals and households in dealing with this. The Renewed Programme for Government sets out our commitments for introducing measures needed to protect families having difficulties with their mortgage repayments and personal indebtedness...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (5 May 2010)

Martin Mansergh: 10 deer were knocked down and killed by cars or other vehicles in the Phoenix Park in 2009.