Results 961-980 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (26 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Since the Office of Public Works became the Lead Agency in relation to Flood Management in Ireland in 2004, following the publication of the Flood Policy Review Group Report, the following expenditure for flood relief activities has been incurred. 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 €15.4M 16.2M €14.2M €23.1M €24.9M Expenditure for 2009 is currently at €24.5M with an anticipated outturn in...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (26 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The report of the review group, which was adopted by the Government in late 2004, recommended that flood risk management policy should address both existing and future risk and that there should be increased focus on non-structural measures to complement traditional reliance on works. Substantial progress has been made by the Office of Public Works, as lead agency for implementing the...

Seanad: EU Council Decision: Motion (26 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Senators for their support of this motion. It is interesting to note that the points raised in this House differ from those raised in the Dáil when I brought this motion before it this morning. This agreement will not come into effect until May 2011, following enactment of the relevant legislation. The purpose of the motion is to allow Ireland to agree and sign the new agreement,...

EU Council Decisions: Motions (26 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Deputies for their support. As most of us are aware, Ireland has a very long coastline and has been vulnerable to smuggling for centuries. I note Deputy Hogan's comments about coal smuggling and am sure the relevant agencies are aware of the matter. I agree with Deputy Burton regarding the costs of cigarette smuggling in terms of undermining social solidarity, taking badly needed...

EU Council Decisions: Motions (26 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: That is not primarily a legislative issue, however. I am aware of the connection between smuggling and dissident paramilitary activity but it would be wrong to be entirely reductionist because it is certainly not the case that the majority of smugglers are from paramilitary backgrounds. However, the fact of this connection throws light on the supposed ideals of such organisations. Deputy...

Seanad: EU Council Decision: Motion (26 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: This motion deals with the Council decision on the use of information technology for customs purposes. The customs information system, CIS, a computerised network database, which is the subject of the proposed European Council decision, is one of the tools used by customs services in the member states of the European Union to co-operate with each other in combating smuggling and customs...

EU Council Decisions: Motions (26 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion provided by Article 1.11 of the Treaty of Amsterdam to take part in the adoption of the following proposed measure: a proposal for a Council Decision on the use of information technology for customs purposes, a copy of which proposed measure was laid before Dáil Éireann on 25 November 2009. This...

Seanad: Flooding: Statements (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The contracts will be signed in January. They have gone to pre-tender. The Senator will be aware of the works that have been done in Waterford, which look fairly well. As far as I appreciate, they have not prevented flooding in Waterford because the scheme there is not complete. There are a number of towns with flood relief schemes, including Ennis, Waterford, Clonmel and Mallow. The one...

Seanad: Flooding: Statements (Resumed) (25 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank all the Senators who contributed to what has been a very good debate. It was full of suggestions and proposals, as well as expressions of concern for those worst affected, and commendation for those involved in the humanitarian rescue efforts of recent days. We all desire the same objective of alleviating distress in the short-term. Once the emergency has been overcome, however, we...

Seanad: Flooding: Statements (25 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I do not have a script and will be speaking on issues beyond the immediate remit of the Office of Public Works. I express my deep sympathy to all those whose lives have been inconvenienced, devastated and disrupted by the flooding, the most intense and extensive I can recall. I managed to visit some of the areas concerned, including counties Clare, Galway and Tipperary, and have seen first...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I visited the West County Hotel in Ennis last Saturday and I met a number of evacuees. I received word informally about a problem relating to Ardnacrusha and I informed the Taoiseach before he went into the interdepartmental meeting. I suggested questions needed to be raised and I am sure they have been asked. The Deputy stated too many agencies have responsibility. We live in a democracy...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Warning systems are in operation on the Rivers Suir and Blackwater. They give several hours notice of flooding.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: A number of local authorities have done this over the past few years. They are intensifying the cleaning of drains and waterways and the OPW is trying to do that as well. It is unrealistic to think that any amount of cleaning of rivers and streams would have prevented the flooding we have witnessed over the past few days.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I may not visit on Friday but it will be some time over the weekend.

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I just want to add that the issue of managing water levels in the Inniscarra dam will be examined.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (24 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Commissioners of Public Works, on behalf of the Department of Finance, are responsible for the management of property under Sections 28, 29, 30 and 31 of the State Property Act (1954), following the dissolution of Companies, either voluntarily or being struck off the Companies Register. The interest of the assets of the dissolved Company become vested in the Minister for Finance. The...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (24 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The use of sensors on lighting systems is commonplace in many Civil Service offices. They provide a very effective automatic solution to reduce energy usage by switching off artificial lighting when there is either sufficient natural daylight or when the space is unoccupied. It has long been the policy of the Office of Public Works to install this equipment in new office developments. It...

Written Answers — Construction Projects: Construction Projects (24 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Planning permission for the necessary work at Clonark has been obtained, and a suitable scheme of works has been devised and agreed by An Garda Síochána. Arrangements are currently being made to engage a suitable contractor to carry out the work with a target completion date for the project for mid-2010.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The provision of a new headquarters building in Portlaoise for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in conjunction with a new headquarters for the Department of Education and Science in Mullingar, and decentralised offices for staff of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Carlow, is being pursued by means of a Public Private Partnership as a single Design,...

Flood Relief: Statements. (24 Nov 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I believe that the consultants will be appointed in the next couple of months. It is a vital priority. The events of the last five days mean that we will have to reassess everything we do in two ways - first, to see what matters we can accelerate and, second, to see what gaps are appearing in the system and which we have not fully taken account of. What has happened is by far the worst...