Results 1,521-1,540 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

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

Martin Mansergh: It was 200 years ago, a much more conservative society, but he was still very eloquent on that subject and he was progressive on the American revolution, the period we are discussing.

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

Martin Mansergh: The Chair must stop us in our dialectical debates.

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

Martin Mansergh: There is much talk of a need for leadership, as if leadership would be something popular. This Bill, following the failure of the social partnership negotiations, is an act of leadership by the Taoiseach and the Government. Obviously, the Opposition parties do not want Government leadership. They want to lead themselves, doing their best to disguise what they would have to do in government...

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

Martin Mansergh: It is not Thatcherite in the least.

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

Martin Mansergh: I detest Thatcherism and have almost as much distaste for neo-liberalism as Deputy Michael D. Higgins. Leadership is about spelling out those facts clearly, and about maintaining an iron resolve to face up to the problems facing our country and finding the necessary solutions, of which this can be only one instalment. The major change in our circumstances, to which we have to adjust, is our...

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

Martin Mansergh: The search for people to blame is in full swing, but we should guard against too simplistic an analysis. While imprudent actions, or worse, at home have certainly greatly exacerbated the situation, the budgetary difficulties and loss of competitiveness we are facing are not caused solely by a few bankers and developers. Making them pay for their mistakes may help assuage public feelings,...

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

Martin Mansergh: The Celtic tiger years, to some degree at least, benefited virtually everyone and enabled a great deal to be done for the country that would have been previously unimaginable because it was far beyond our resources. The national motorway network, begun in the late 1990s, which will be finished next year, is one instance of this. The plentiful flow of capital taxes, stamp duty and corporation...

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

Martin Mansergh: Much of that has dried up, necessitating that we cut some of the spending that was dependent on it and substitute base-broadening sources of revenue that are less fair-weather dependent. When nearly everyone to a greater or lesser degree was doing better than previously — in many cases, a lot better — there was less general concern that a few were making astronomical gains. A harsh...

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

Martin Mansergh: Earlier societies had crude methods for making those who had grown obscenely wealthy at public expense accountable through star chambers and chambres de justice.

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

Martin Mansergh: Much of the initial anger of the French revolution was directed at financiers and speculators. Today, strictly within the rule of law, those who have brought disaster on what would once have been regarded as the ultimate in sound institutions, the bankers, must face the consequences. Whether legally or morally, they have a liability for the debts they have incurred, which must not be heaped...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (19 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public works implemented a programme of flood relief works for the River Nore, Kilkenny City, which was completed in 2006. The works carried out on the River Nore extend from Fennessy's Weir downstream of the By-pass Bridge in the South to approximately Bishop's Meadows; upstream of Green Street Bridge in the North, and on the River Breagagh from its confluence with the Nore to...

Written Answers — Transfer Application: Transfer Application (19 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: OPW is processing the application from the person (details supplied) in respect of the transfer concerned.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (19 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: On a point of order, the Bill has nothing whatsoever to do with banking and the entire contribution has been on matters that do not relate to the subject of the Bill.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (18 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Shannon Callows are prone to annual winter flooding and to periodic summer flooding, affecting both farming and environmental interests, including EU protected species. The exceptional rainfall in 2008 exacerbated the flooding in the area, which is caused mainly by the extremely flat gradient of the river. This makes it very difficult to devise a cost-effective solution. I saw the...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (18 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland act as agents for the Department of Education & Science in the acquisition of sites for schools and solely on their instruction. Sites Located and Acquired: 2008 Kill National School, Co Kildare Powerscourt National School, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow 2007 Rathcroghan National School, Elphin, Co Roscommon Amalgamation of Secondary Schools, Tramore, Co...

Written Answers — National Museum: National Museum (18 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Progress on this project is at an advanced stage and the Office of Public Works is currently finalising tender documents which will be ready by April of 2009. However, given the current budgetary situation, it will not be possible to progress this project at the present time. The project will proceed as planned when the overall financial situation improves.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (18 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: In relation to the Department of Defence Headquarters in Newbridge, I am pleased to say that the building contract placed with P. Elliott & Company Ltd. is on programme and construction work should be completed by the end of 2009. The Office of Public Works has commenced the procurement process for the new Defence Forces Headquarters in the Curragh. The Part 9 planning process has already...

Irish Economy: Motion (18 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to share my time with Deputies Nolan, Dooley, Michael Ahern, Blaney and O'Brien.

Irish Economy: Motion (18 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The current crisis requires realism and urgency. A sense of fairness is important too, but the acknowledged difficulties in achieving a consensus on how that is to be reflected cannot be an alibi for inaction or delay or for arguing that the responsibility falls on other people, not ourselves. As the chief economist at the Commerzbank in Germany stated in the Financial Times of 14 February,...

Irish Economy: Motion (18 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: If that were to be generously updated, no one paid for or supported by the State would be worth more than €500,000 a year. With regard to bankers in controversy, let the enforcement agencies do their work expeditiously. I would not force out of the country anyone who provides investment and jobs and contributes to Ireland's international success and reputation. However, at this critical...