Results 1,501-1,520 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Cost and Efficiency Review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann: Statements (26 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am glad this debate is taking place against the background of the deferral of the threatened Dublin Bus dispute. In spite of all the difficulties we have seen, I would not be keen to see the concept of compulsory redundancies brought into any branch of the public service. However, maximum efficiency from limited resources is required, given the current background. I am happy to contribute...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Senators on all sides of the House for their contributions to this exceptionally constructive and stimulating debate. There are various formulae of words that can be used on such occasions but in everything I say, I try not to gloss over what I consider to be an exceptionally grave situation. Members will find reflections of this in my opening contribution. At the same time, one...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to share time with Senator Walsh and ask that he be allowed to speak first.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I inserted the verb at the end.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: There is occasionally a misprint in a speech.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I believe I am allowed a point of order.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: It was not in the script and so I placed one in the sentence.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: This Bill has been brought forward in light of the unprecedented economic challenges now facing our country. The world economy is in deep recession, a recession which has no parallel in modern times, and which is linked to a serious crisis in the international financial markets that has had profound effects around the world. Industrial production in the United States fell by approximately 8%...

Written Answers — Public Works Projects: Public Works Projects (25 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The walkway has now been re-opened to the public.

Seanad: Banking Sector: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I begin by declaring an interest in that I have a daughter who is a middle ranking official in AIB, although she is on maternity leave at the moment. I thank Senators for their contributions and for what has been a good debate. I assure them that I listen carefully to what the Opposition and everyone has to say. I will give a short response to the last contribution. Senator Paul Bradford...

Seanad: Banking Sector: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: He did have to revise it since.

Seanad: Banking Sector: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am prepared to stay to listen to the two Senators.

Seanad: Tax Code (25 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am pleased to have this opportunity to contribute to today's debate and to respond to Senator McFadden's Adjournment matter concerning the introduction of a VAT margin scheme for Irish car dealers similar to that which operates in most other member states. I am acutely aware of the serious difficulties and the acute downturn facing the motor industry and will meet representatives of SIMI...

Seanad: Tax Code (25 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The question of differences in VAT rates between Ireland and the United Kingdom, and especially between Ireland and Northern Ireland, is part of a much broader and more fraught discussion. There would be a vast cost to the Exchequer, which we simply cannot contemplate at this time, in harmonising VAT rates North and South. As I said in response to a question on this broader issue that was...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Consortium, to whom the National Conference Centre (NCC) Contract was awarded, are required to Design, Build and Finance the Conference Centre and to Operate and Maintain it (DBFOM) for a period of 25 years, after which time it will revert to the State. Payments for the facility will be spread over 25 years and will commence once the NCC is open for business.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Sorry, there was.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Deputy Lynch's quotation was Benjamin Franklin rather than Abraham Lincoln. It is always a pleasure, at one remove, to follow the passionate rhetoric of Deputy Michael D. Higgins. He started quietly but I knew he would not be able to keep that up.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The justification for this Bill is strict necessity. Due to a catastrophic fall in revenues, we have moved from a comfortable surplus position or near balance in the Government's accounts over a long period to a situation where this year we will be borrowing €18 billion or 9.5% of GDP, which is over three times the limit allowed for a member of the eurozone. We first of all must contain...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Ireland in current circumstances can no longer afford the present pay bill for the non-commercial public sector, a sector which has grown by more than 100,000 people since 1997. There are only two choices: substantial redundancies or across the board net reductions in pay. In many other countries without a social partnership culture, when there are economic difficulties, public servants are...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: He was not that conservative in the 1770s. Later he was, but not then.