Results 1,281-1,300 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Written Answers — Procurement Procedures: Procurement Procedures (27 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has thousands of contracts throughout the country in any one year. A trawl of OPW offices throughout the country found three formal complaints were received since 2007 on tender processes organised by the OPW. In February 2009, a complaint was received on a tender for the supply of envelopes to Government Departments and Offices. A challenge was made by a...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (26 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The primary objective of the telecommunications mast adjacent to Letterkenny Garda Station, and all Garda masts, is to facilitate the services and activities of An Garda Síochána. There are three mobile phone operators licensed by the Commissioners of Public Works to install equipment, for the provision of mobile telephony services, on the mast at Letterkenny Garda Station. These licences...

Written Answers — Séadchomharthaí Náisiúnta: Séadchomharthaí Náisiúnta (26 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Tógadh an leacht marmair as Scoil Éanna nuair a bhí obraithe leasaithe a dhéanamh, agus beidh sé curtha as air in áit feiliúnach nuair a tá an ionad taispeantais réidh.

Written Answers — Séadchomharthaí Náisiúnta: Séadchomharthaí Náisiúnta (26 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Níor thug Oifig na nOibreacha Piiblí treoir mar sin. Tá gach turas fíor don stair na haoise i gceist.

Written Answers — Museum Projects: Museum Projects (26 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: With a view to the re-establishment of the County Museum in Enniscorthy Castle, a survey and condition report on the fabric of the castle is in progress. This, together with a report on the necessary upgraded services, will inform the program of works, costs and timescale for completion.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency: Statements (26 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Senators for their contributions on this most important policy initiative for the banking sector. I welcome the fact that Senators have generally been very positive in their comments, with many benefiting from discussions this morning in the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, with the interim managing director, Brendan McDonagh, Dr. Peter Bacon and the Minister for...

Seanad: School Curriculum (26 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am replying on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Martin Cullen. I am pleased to have the opportunity provided by Senator Keaveney to deal with the matter. I acknowledge her experience and expertise in the subject and that of the Acting Chairman, Senator Ó Murchú. This report, Points of Alignment, produced by the special committee on arts and...

Seanad: School Curriculum (26 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I make the point in almost every arts related speech I make that I am very conscious that an estimated 50,000 people are involved or employed in different arts organisations. There is not a community in the country I have encountered in any town of any size that does not have many different arts activities. More than half our tourism industry is what one might call culturally related,...

Seanad: Reappointment of Ombudsman and Information Commissioner: Motions (26 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Senators for their support for this motion. Indeed, there is unanimity on the excellent work that has been done by Ms Emily O'Reilly. Senator Twomey raised the relevant issue of resources. On completion of the First Schedule of the Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill, that is, the list of bodies that will be subject to investigation by the Ombudsman, the Ombudsman's office identified a...

Seanad: Reappointment of Ombudsman and Information Commissioner: Motions (26 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Whatever the circumstances, and I intend to look into the matter a little further, it is certainly an institution that has stood the test of time in Sweden and has spread across much of the developed world. Senator Quinn referred to the several valuable reports produced by the Ombudsman. Undoubtedly, her office constitutes an important safeguard. It is not the only constitutional or other...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency: Statements (26 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Senators will be very familiar with the context and background to today's debate. An unparalleled period of instability and loss of confidence in financial markets has been the driver of a broader global economic slowdown. Few countries have felt the impact of this downturn harder than our own. We have one of the most open economies in the world, largely dependent on international finance...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency: Statements (26 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Albert Reynolds.

Seanad: Reappointment of Ombudsman and Information Commissioner: Motions (26 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Emily O'Reilly was appointed to the offices of the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner in June 2003 for a term of six years. She is eligible for reappointment for a further six years, and the Government has decided to nominate her again for both positions. I am delighted that she is willing to serve a second term and to lead her office, where she enjoys public respect and confidence, in...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (21 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: A preliminary design for the new Station, which envisages retention and modernisation of the existing structure, is currently being prepared, and will shortly be submitted to the Garda authorities for approval. It is anticipated that, following detailed planning, an early Planning submission will be lodged, with a view to commencing works on site in the second half of 2009. In the meantime,...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (21 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. I thank the Senator for raising the matter. It is a real problem, particularly in the greater Dublin area, including adjoining counties. This affords me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the process being utilised to ensure there will be adequate accommodation...

Seanad: Swimming Pool Projects (21 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I prefer the colder waters of the Atlantic off the coast of Galway, but I appreciate that schools and inhabitants need a local swimming pool. If I had not been keeping up to date with recent developments, Senator Cannon's speech left me in no doubt as to what side of the political spectrum he stands on, and I wish him the best on his transition. I thank the Senator for raising this matter...

Seanad: Swimming Pool Projects (21 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The answer to the first question is that they are two distinct issues. I was talking about the programme. There is a question of finishing off the existing programme, which includes Loughrea. However, I was also dealing with the question of when there might be invitations to apply for a new programme. The fact there is no new programme this year has no implications whatsoever for the...

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: May I share time with Deputy Flynn?

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I gladly support legislation that seeks to limit gun and knife crime, which can lead to appalling tragedies, sometimes with attacks on targeted victims, other times on randomly chosen ones. While most guns used in crimes are illegally obtained, a gun should only be legally obtainable in restricted circumstances for a clear and justified purpose instead of being permitted to any citizen in...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 May 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The total value of printing works procured by Government Departments, Offices and Agencies under contracts placed by the Government Supplies Agency was €9,374,092 in 2006, €11,157,120 in 2007 and €10,874,781 in 2008. Of these amounts, the cost of items printed outside the country was €193,160 in 2006, €1,267,915 in 2007 and €1,294,808 in 2008. All contracts with an estimated...