Results 1,561-1,580 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Never.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I have done so frequently.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: No, it is on the record.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I wish to set out the basis for the Government decisions on expenditure and the economy, announced on Tuesday, and to commend them to Senators for their support. As the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance have made clear, we are now living in exceptionally difficult budgetary times, and the measures announced on Tuesday are likewise exceptional. The Government has had to take resolute...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The provision of office accommodation for use by some administrative units of the Garda Síochána currently based in Tallaght Station is being actively pursued.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: It was very important that decisions were taken without further delay to start to remedy the gaping hole in the public finances. Ireland's credit worthiness is essential to sustain public services and jobs. The decisions announced yesterday did not just save €1.8 billion this year or €2 billion in a full year, but also provided the first €1 billion savings of the €4 billion that...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: However, the economy cannot function without banks. We needed to nationalise one and support others. I refer to an article in Der Spiegel which states: "Sometimes, unfortunately, it is the case that one must temporarily satisfy private interests to avert far greater damage to the common good". One would like to know what the alternative is or was. How would allowing our banking system to...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Social partnership is a relatively——

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: One of the differences between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is that Fine Gael has no real commitment to social partnership. Most of the growth and the doubling of employment was due to social partnership.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: One of the reasons for the failure of the Fine Gael-Labour Government was because it rejected the social partnership model.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am proud in that respect to belong to what I conceive as the social democratic tradition. I accept there are other traditions. It is perfectly understandable that the Opposition wishes to steer clear of supporting unpopular decisions and to keep its powder dry and I do not criticise it for this. The Government, however, has the responsibility, if necessary on its own, to do what is...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: A previous speaker spoke about reducing the costs of government in general and the Oireachtas, in particular. We plan to reduce the cost of procurement in my area of responsibility. We are also looking at the expenses of this House and, in particular, there will be no capital expenditure on this House, other than essential maintenance. There has been a demand from the other party opposite,...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Martin Mansergh: That is not true.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (29 Jan 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 43 together. The Shannon Callows are prone to annual winter flooding and to periodic summer flooding, affecting both farming and environmental interests in the area, including EU protected species. The exceptional rainfall in 2008 exacerbated the flooding, which is caused mainly by the extremely flat gradient of the river. This makes it very difficult...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Ballincollig Garda Station is on the priority list of the Garda Building Programme for 2009. Under the Capital Works Management Framework, all public sector construction projects are required to be carried out under the new form of contract. It is necessary, therefore, to re-tender construction projects, such as Ballincollig Garda Station, which has been tendered under the previous GDLA...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Documents relating to the construction of the Munster Blackwater (Fermoy North) Drainage Scheme have been issued to the pre-qualified contractors by the Office of Public Works. At the request of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the tender documents have included works to Fermoy Weir. Before a successful contractor is appointed, OPW will, in consultation with...

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Yes.

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Mansergh: No, I was answering the Senator's final question.

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The best of luck.

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I am glad to have this opportunity to speak in this debate in support of the Government's counter-motion on the management of the economy and the public finances in the current global crisis. Although we are dealing with a very difficult issue, Ireland, unlike in the past, is facing into the present serious economic challenges against a backdrop of strong sustained growth in recent years and...