Results 4,681-4,700 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Book of Estimates, 2003: Statements. (21 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: One judges the implementation of a programme after five years rather than five months. All political programmes are, as it were, best case scenarios of what one intends to fulfil as and when circumstances allow. In the last five years, in many ways, many pledges were over-fulfilled. Sometimes, one has to take one step back in order to take two steps forward.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: I wonder whether the benchmarking report stated anything about Independent Senators.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: There is a long and honourable tradition of allowing observers to go to controversial trials outside the jurisdiction. I went with the former Deputy, Gerry Collins—

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: —and the present Ceann Comhairle to the Kirkpatrick supergrass trial of INLA members. We did not allow ourselves in any way to be used for INLA propaganda. If people want to go, they should be allowed. Recently in UCD I met a large group of Colombian businessmen—

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: The businessmen concerned did not have huge faith in their system of justice.

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: Not for the first time, I have to say that social partnership is a good policy which has served the country well.

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: The Government has a proud housing record with a record supply of 52,000 houses in the past year. I support the social and affordable housing programme, even those parts that are not particularly popular with builders and I hope the Government will adhere to it. The first-time buyer's grant was of value and importance to some people but in many cases it was absorbed into the builder's price....

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: That is certainly true.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: Dún Laoghaire Harbour Authority wishes to re-erect a very pretty fountain but threats to building workers have caused this work to be halted. It was erected at a particular time and may have certain associations. I am quite certain that nobody with authority in the republican movement would authorise such threats. I believe in the Republic, one and indivisible, and I call on the Minister for...

Seanad: Rail Services and Related Transport Matters: Statements. (14 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: I am very glad to follow a fellow Tipperary Senator and, in general terms, to endorse her sentiments from my knowledge of the situation. I am delighted to welcome the Minster who has already shown he intends to be an energetic, committed and reforming Minister. He will certainly have my full support in that.

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (Resumed). (13 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: Tourism has been one of the great success stories of the past 15 years. In 1986 there were 2 million visitors to the country. Today there are about 6 million annually. Tourism is a key industry for all developed countries, whether large or small. Reference has been made to the importance of home holidays. French people or Americans, who come from much larger countries than Ireland, spend a...

Seanad: Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to refer to a number of points raised by other Senators. My presence in the House is evidence that there is now one less spin doctor in another place, although I never quite saw myself in that light. I belong to the non-doctrinaire socialist wing of the Fianna Fáil Party that believes, as do most of us, in both a dynamic economy and a caring society.

Seanad: Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: This is an important scheme and the Minister of State provided a good exposition of his approach and that of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party to it. He indicated that he fully understood the importance of the scheme, the problems with it and the reforms that needed to be made. Some years ago when unemployment figures were quite high, the scheme performed an important role in respect of...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (12 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: Never.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: I understand the Book of Estimates is due to be published on Thursday. In view of this it would be helpful if the House was to debate the Estimates next week in Government time.

Seanad: Second Interim Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Statements. (12 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister to the House. I should mention that the Flood tribunal has been in communication with me regarding one of the 184 matters referred to in chapter 19 of its interim report. I would have no difficulty in saying what the matter concerned is, but believe the tribunal – I have no doubt the same applies to its other correspondents – wishes me not to do so. What I have to...

Seanad: Agriculture and Food: Statements. (6 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator is amazing.

Seanad: Agriculture and Food: Statements. (6 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to share my time with Senator Michael Kitt, by agreement.

Seanad: Agriculture and Food: Statements. (6 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I was thinking as I listened to the Minister's speech that perhaps Seanad membership itself is a form of off-farm employment. We are very fortunate to have a Minister of immense experience who has served, bar 2.5 years, for 13.5 years. He has streamlined aids to the farm sector so that they come through very efficiently. Schemes such as REPS work...

Seanad: Agriculture and Food: Statements. (6 Nov 2002)

Martin Mansergh: —and has done a great job at all the difficult negotiations to do with the EU, the WTO and otherwise.