Results 1,261-1,280 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Financial Services (Deposit Guarantee Scheme) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Inevitably in a debate on a Bill such as this, which is relatively narrowly focused, as Senator White pointed out, it is easy to be invited to go down many highways and byways, and I will not entirely resist the temptation. Senator Cannon asked if there was any estimate of the level of deposits guaranteed. The answer is that there is a rough estimate by the Central Bank of the value of...

Seanad: Financial Services (Deposit Guarantee Scheme) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: We would have said that our success of the past 20 years was a collective effort.

Seanad: Financial Services (Deposit Guarantee Scheme) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: However, while it would be odd to say the Government deserves no credit for the boom, suddenly, when things go wrong, it would be equally odd to suggest it is entirely responsible for everything that has gone wrong. Particularly as we are discussing banking credit and financial institutions, there is a huge global dimension in this which is absolutely undeniable. Last October at the IMF a...

Seanad: European Parliament Irish Constituency Members) Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Senators for their contributions and for facilitating the passage of this Bill through the Seanad. Given that today is Bloomsday, I remind them that a notable feature of James Joyce's writing was how steeped it was in Europe and its awareness of how Ireland both enriched and was enriched by being a European country. As I indicated in my opening comments, this Bill is the culmination...

Seanad: European Parliament Irish Constituency Members) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I understand the motive perfectly. One is talking about a very small class of people who have been re-elected — just a handful. In those circumstances, persuasion should suffice without devising incentives which would be very easily and quickly misrepresented by our popular media.

Seanad: European Parliament Irish Constituency Members) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Members for assisting the speedy passage of the Bill and at the same time allowing an interesting discussion on some relevant and related matters.

Seanad: European Parliament Irish Constituency Members) Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am grateful for the facility offered by the Seanad and its Members to introduce the European Parliament (Irish Constituency Members) Bill 2009 and thank Senators sincerely for their co-operation. Given the nature of the legislative proposal being made, I congratulate the 12 Members of the European Parliament elected to represent Ireland at the recent election in this jurisdiction. I...

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (12 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: What is documented in the Ryan report was a catastrophe, above all for the inmates of industrial schools and reformatories but also for the religious orders concerned, church, State and society. Systematic cruelty leaving lifelong scars, aggravated in some cases by appalling paedophile abuse, took place. Redress by way of apology, financial compensation or other forms of help and...

Written Answers — Court Accommodation: Court Accommodation (11 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The provision of Court accommodation is, in the first instance, a matter for the Courts Service. The Commissioners of Public Works, acting on behalf of the Courts Service, have appointed an Architect as Design Team Leader for this project, and are arranging for the appointment of the other members of the Design Team. Consultations have taken place with local Court users, and it is...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Rhetoric.

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Any exercise in democracy in which there is keen public interest and participation should be a cause of satisfaction. The results of elections on different occasions to different bodies and for different purposes should be equally respected. There are still many parts of the world where, unfortunately, this is not the case. Three sets of elections took place last Friday. There were two...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Deputy wishes it were thus.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 89 and 122 together. The position in relation to the site in Charlestown is that terms were agreed last year but the contract for sale has yet to be finalised. Accordingly, there is no contractual commitment on the OPW to purchase the site. Given the elapse of time, and bearing in mind the change in market conditions over the last 12 months, the question...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Sketch Scheme drawings for the new Station at this location have recently been submitted to An Garda Síochána for approval. The Office of Public Works is currently awaiting approval from the Garda Housing Office before proceeding with the project. Documentation for a planning submission is being progressed and will be lodged with the appropriate Local Authority in due course. It is...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works has responsibility for river flooding and coastal erosion. The storm water flooding that caused the demolition of the boundary wall in the area mentioned during the floods in August 2008 does not fall under that Office of Public Works remit, as it was neither fluvial nor coastal flooding. Therefore, the issue of funding for any works in this instance is not a...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am advised by my officials in the Office of Public Works (OPW) that the said flooding report, in draft format, has been received from the Consultant. The draft report was discussed at a meeting between Kilkenny County Council (KCC) and OPW officials at a meeting held on 4 June 2009 when further details and clarifications were sought prior to a final report being accepted. It is expected...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Having received the necessary Department of Finance sanction to place a contract for the construction of new decentralised offices for the Property Registration Authority at Roscommon, the Office of Public Works has informed the preferred tenderer of its intention to place a contract subject to acceptance of a number of conditions. Subject to these conditions being satisfied, it is expected...

Leaders' Questions (9 Jun 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Rubbish.

Written Answers — National Flag: National Flag (28 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The matter raised by the Deputy is currently under investigation by the Office of Public Works. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the results of the investigation are to hand.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (27 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Mayo County Council was informed in November 2008 that the Office of Public Works would provide them with funding towards the cost of a study to determine the causes of flooding in the area referred to with a view to identifying alleviation measures. The OPW has not been advised by Mayo County Council whether that study has been completed or if they have identified works that will address the...