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

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: No, it is not.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: No.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Of course I am standing up to defend the legislation. What else does the Senator think I am here for? The net effect on income is perfectly clear, if the Senator cares to study the supporting documentation. The actions of the Government over the past two years have been highly progressive. They have not been regressive. The Senator made reference-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I have told the Senator that the net-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am giving the Senator the answer, which is that the total change in net income will be far higher at a higher level. I have nothing-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: That is the answer I am giving the Senator.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I do not-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The proposed amendments would, in the case of amendment No. 8 on behalf of the Labour Party, add an additional section disapplying the pay reductions where there was in a public service body an agreement to achieve the savings some other way. Senator Twomey's amendment which is what we must decide on now would add a further subsection to section 2 to allow for reductions where there were...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Yes, but the subsequent flow of revenue showed that we had exhausted revenue. While one certainly can increase rates, that does not mean one necessarily will accrue more revenue as a result. I fully agree with most of Senator Alex White's comments in that the issue of public service reform is complex and, in some ways, the Bill reflects the complexity of the public service. Moreover, it is...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: -----and there are considerable leadership skills. I could not help smiling when the Senator quoted Fergus Finlay's remarks about talks not being worth a penny candle. I believe the Fine Gael Taoiseach of the day was not a bit pleased with that particular remark, but that did not necessarily affect its validity. A certain British trade union leader has been invoked yesterday and today.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I must confess that in or around 1984, at a time when Fianna Fáil was in opposition, many on the fifth floor of Leinster House were sporting the motto, "We back the miners". At the same time, I am not a great admirer of presidents for life in any sphere, be it political or trade union. However, the point I was making in reply to Senator Harris who I believe argued yesterday that the same...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Bill was subject to a minor technical amendment in the course of its passage through the Dáil. The amendment was necessary to take account of the fact the Official Languages Act 2003 was passed in both Irish and English. The Act was mentioned in the Schedule as it contains a reference to the Houses of the Oireachtas which must now be changed to the Houses of the Oireachtas Service....

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Flood Alleviation Scheme in Waterford is administered and run by Waterford City Council, with financial assistance from the Office of Public Works. To date, funding of €5,000,000.00 has been provided to Waterford City Council by the Office of Public Works for the design and construction of the Flood Alleviation Scheme. Phase 1 of these works is under construction, while Phases 2, 3...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Enniscorthy Castle is in the ownership of Wexford County Council. It is currently undergoing restoration works that are part funded by OPW. The matter of its reopening as a Museum can be clarified by Wexford County Council.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Proposals for dealing with the flooding problems experienced in Enniscorthy were placed on formal Public Exhibition by the Office of Public Works in February of this year for a period of four weeks. A large number of observations were received following the Exhibition, of which a significant amount were opposed to the proposals. As both Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy Town Council...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: A total of €31,500 was allocated by the Office of Public Works to Cork County Council following assessment of applications received from the Council in respect of localised minor flood mitigation works in 2009. The OPW will be writing to Local Authorities shortly in relation to funding for flood mitigation works they propose to undertake in 2010. If a submission is made by Cork County...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Office of Public Works Engineers met with the owner of the properties at Cockstown West, Ardrahan referred to by the Deputy. As a result, the property owner has, within the past week, submitted to the OPW a report prepared by his Engineer in relation to the flooding problem. This report is currently being considered. Under a scheme introduced this year, the OPW will shortly be writing to...

Written Answers — National Monuments: National Monuments (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Minister for Finance announced in Budget 2010 that he wishes to mark, in a modest way, the life and work of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy by assisting a project at the Kennedy Homestead. The Office of Public Works intends to initiate detailed discussions with the owners of the Kennedy Homestead in Dunganstown and with other key stakeholders, such as Wexford County Council, with a...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Senators for what has been a very interesting and worthwhile debate with a very wide range of views expressed. Senator O'Toole began the debate after I had spoken, giving a purported account of the breakdown of the talks. I say "purported" not to cast any doubt on his good faith but simply because he has a narrative from his own sources. The reality is, just taking it as he...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: We should try to focus on the main debate. I have replied to the Senator. Senator Butler referred correctly to the 20% to 25% cuts made and the many job losses in the private sector. If one were to average out the job losses and the cuts, one would be talking about an even greater figure than the one with which he was dealing. Senator Harris is an old sparring partner of mine, both of us in...