Results 1,381-1,400 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Pension Provisions (26 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I fully subscribe to what Senator Norris stated on the importance of research. As it happens I am very familiar with the situation he describes as I have a daughter who is a research fellow at Trinity and is, of course, subject to the pension levy. However, I have not had representations on the pension levy from that source. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009...

Seanad: Pension Provisions (26 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: That is nearly accurate, but not completely accurate. There is nothing to say that people cannot constitute themselves into an ad hoc group. They must write in the first instance to the people who pay them. The people who administer their pay must then refer to the higher authority, such as the Department and the HEA. When they have made a recommendation on it, it can be submitted to the...

Seanad: Forthcoming Budget: Statements (26 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: In recent decades we have positioned ourselves as a flexible and open economy, deeply integrated into the globalised trading environment. This economic strategy has served us well in recent years, leading to a period of unprecedented economic growth as our living standards moved into line with those of our European partners. This point is perhaps most strikingly highlighted by the fact that...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (25 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 96 together. The provision of accommodation for An Garda Síochána at Macroom has recently been re-prioritised by An Garda Síochána. OPW will quickly assess all the options, including the site referred to by the Deputy. Assuming that a suitable property is identified, OPW will progress this, subject to the availability of funding.

Tax Code. (25 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am all in favour of two-way traffic. I would like to address the question of our engagement with Northern Ireland and the UK. The Minister for Finance engages on a regular basis with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and his Northern Ireland counterpart in respect of European and North-South bilateral issues. Taxation strategies, in general, reflect the political choices made by governments...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Government, on the recommendation of the Taoiseach, decides on the number and role of Ministers of State. There is no doubt that the demands on Government and on its members have grown hugely over the past 40 years and that there is much value in cross-departmental co-ordination but we are also living at a time when the overhead costs of running the State have to be cut back. I was the...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: There is general agreement on the depth of the economic and financial crisis facing the country and the necessity of taking further action now to, to the greatest extent possible, lift some of the uncertainty. There is no merit in half measures. The unprecedented global downturn forms the backdrop to the problems we face and has no doubt massively compounded them. The differing analysis...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The total annual allocation to the Garda station building programme since 2002, including the provision in the Revised Estimates, is as follows: Year Allocation €m 2002 17,738 2003 12,000 2004 19,887 2005 30,632 2006 27,820 2007 46,440 2008 57,020 2009 27,748 Additional monies would have been expended on a variety of other Garda related works but it is not possible in the time...

Written Answers — Earth Hour Initiative: Earth Hour Initiative (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Individual Government Departments have responsibility and control over the lighting of their buildings. The Office of Public Works is participating in the Earth Hour initiative, where practicable, in respect of buildings under its direct management and control, including a number of famous heritage sites around the country. The Office of Public Works will provide technical and other...

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

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works (OPW) commenced operations in the OPW advance office in Claremorris in September 2007, and this office has a current staffing compliment of 30. OPW has also acquired the site for their permanent decentralised office in Claremorris. It is planned to progress the Claremorris decentralisation project on a phased basis. Phase One will provide an office for 104 posts,...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The prioritisation of new build projects in the Garda Building Programme is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Garda management in the first instance. Taking into account the current budgetary constraints, Garda management has not placed the construction of the new Wexford Garda Station on the priority list of projects to commence construction in 2009....

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (24 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The cost to the Exchequer in the year 2009 of rents payable by the Commissioners of Public Works, in the categories of offices, warehouses, Garda accommodation and Driving Test Centres is €121,488,378.57. This amount is exclusive of VAT applicable to some rents, service charges payable on Leases, car-park Leases / Licences fees and ground rents, (i.e. rents under €10,000 per annum). A...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (12 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Pending a full assessment and determination of future Garda needs in respect of the Garda Station property at Bangor Erris, County Mayo, by the Office of Public Works, including the resolution of certain property issues pertaining to the property, which have recently come to light, it would be premature for me to meet with any interested group or party.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (11 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works is undertaking a Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment, as required by the EU Flood Directive, which will identify at a national level areas where there is potential significant risk from flooding. The OPW has also commenced a programme of Flood Risk Assessment and Management studies that will map the areas of the country potentially at risk and will produce for each...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (11 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: There are restrictions due to budgetary considerations on opening arrangements at visitor sites under the management of the Office of Public Works for 2009. Many seasonal sites opened early in mid-March 2008, solely due to the contiguousness of St. Patrick's Day and the Easter Holiday period. These sites will revert to April openings at Easter in 2009. Furthermore, closing times at the...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (10 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The river referred to forms part of the Brosna Catchment Drainage Scheme. Under the terms of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, the Office of Public Works is responsible for maintaining the conveyance capacity of the channel to provide outfall for land drainage. Maintenance works are undertaken periodically, and in 2008, tree and debris removal was carried out by the OPW on the channel through...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (10 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: A Contract was placed by the Commissioners of Public Works to carry out enabling works to the internal and external fabric of the building, together with provision of furniture and fittings required. The work commenced in late July 2008. During the course of the works, and after investigations and excavations, a further programme of substantial works has been deemed necessary to address a...

Written Answers — Transfer Applications: Transfer Applications (10 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The processing of the application from the person (details supplied) will take in the order of eight weeks subject to receipt of the necessary paperwork from the candidates parent Department. As the current indicative completion date for the Office of Public Works (OPW) Regional Office in Claremorris is late 2011, OPW will review the timeline in respect of transfer job offers in late 2009....

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (10 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The flood alleviation schemes in Mallow and Fermoy are funded from the provision for such works in the National Development Plan, which is adequate to cover all future phases of the schemes. The ongoing availability of funds is of course subject to overall budgetary considerations.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (10 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Having visited the Shannon callows last year and met those affected by flooding in the area, I am conscious of the serious impact of the flooding on farming and on the environment in the area. Due to exceptionally heavy rainfall, the problem in 2008 was more severe than the normal summer flooding in the callows. The extremely flat gradient of the river, together with the environmentally...