Results 1,421-1,440 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The due diligence takes place before recapitalisation.

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Due diligence is a normal procedure when making an investment and the NPRF is obliged, simply as an investor, to do due diligence.

Seanad: Cross-Border Projects (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I appreciate the value and importance of ferry services across Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly. I have a clear memory of crossing Lough Swilly on 14 September 2007 to mark the 400th anniversary of the flight of the earls. The Department of Transport has no function in the future of the Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly ferry services. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government...

Seanad: Industrial Disputes. (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Senator McFadden for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I do not doubt what the Senator said with regard to the value and importance of the services on offer at Portiuncula Hospital and people's concerns in respect of possible reconfigurations. I am familiar with these matters as a result of events in the area I...

Seanad: Industrial Disputes. (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: There are ample conciliation procedures available in the health service and elsewhere. In general, Ministers are advised not to intervene in disputes of this nature. If they did intervene, we would rapidly reach a position where no dispute could be resolved without the personal involvement of the relevant Minister, and that would simply not be practical. I share the Senator's desire to see...

Seanad: School Accommodation (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. Undoubtedly, he has the quietest voice in the Seanad. That is meant as a compliment. I am replying to this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, who unfortunately cannot be present. Bishop Ahern national school, Leamlara, County Cork, has applied to the Department of Education...

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Senators for their contributions on these three amendments. Focusing on amendment No. 1, there must be pay restraint. In reality, however, reductions in net income are vital in the overall current economic situation. The Government recognises the importance of that at the most senior levels of the banking sector. It is important not only in the context of financial support being...

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I did not say that.

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I do not propose to accept the amendments. With regard to Senator Twomey's remarks, it is, of course, the function and duty of the Opposition to put the other point of view. However, I always pay particular attention when the Opposition, when saying what the Government should be doing, states that if it were in government it would do it. Very often, however, one does not hear that. Some of...

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: That might be the Senator's point of view but the Government commissioned the report, has received it and will deal with it with due process. That will take place very shortly. I do not propose to express personal views on the matters covered by that report. I am sure the Minister will make a statement in that regard next week or, at the latest, in the following week. With regard to fixed...

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: We do not live in a state, and I doubt if such states exist, where Ministers or anybody else has perfect information on absolutely everything that happens in society. I am not much in favour of Ministers, as a regular habit, working through nights. If Ministers are to make sensible decisions, they need some sleep like everybody else.

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: With regard to special needs classes, the provision for resource teachers, special needs assistants and other assistance, which was virtually non-existent in 1997, has been vastly improved, partly due to various Ministers, including Senator Hanafin's sister. What the Senator is talking about — I do not underestimate its effect in certain instances — is essentially a marginal adjustment.

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: That is true.

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Yes.

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: A tremendous amount of provision has been put in place in the past ten or 12 years for special needs and resource teachers. The change does not even affect every part of the country. In my constituency of Tipperary South, no school was affected by that decision. Something that does not even affect every constituency in the country legitimately deserves the description I attached to it. The...

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I absolutely reject the proposition that the Government is compromised in that or any other sense. The provisions that have been adopted are those judged to be in the best long-term interest of the people of this country.

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: To make a general point, the Minister or Minister of State will accept an amendment if it makes sense. They will not do so merely out of respect for this House or the Other House. The amendments have been carefully considered and the Minister appreciates the thinking that lies behind them in relation to the oversight of the expenditure of public moneys. It is important to bear in mind that...

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am sorry; how much will what be?

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: An exact figure was given in my speech.

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

Martin Mansergh: It is €1.584 billion — in effect, €1.6 billion. There is no provision in the Bill or indeed the principal Act for a suspension of this contribution. The Senator is correct in saying the contribution is effectively being borrowed. Those were the main issues raised.