Results 1,621-1,640 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Jan 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I do not propose to accept this amendment. Governments need freedom of action. The issue of decisiveness has been the subject of some discussion recently. The Government needs to be able to take decisions freely. It is accountable to the Oireachtas, but that does not mean all of its decisions have to wait until they have been approved by both Houses. In the autumn, a package that was put...

Seanad: Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Bill 2009: Second Stage (20 Jan 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I wish Seanad Éireann a successful and productive new year. The Minister will soon join the debate. On his behalf, I thank Senators for their time, given the short notice and this late hour. I am eager to hear their views on what is an issue of immense public importance. The Minister has brought the Bill to both Houses of the Oireachtas today with a view to securing the financial position...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (18 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: It is intended to appoint the consultants to undertake the detailed design of the second phase of the Scheme as soon as construction works commence on the first phase of the Scheme. This is expected to occur early in 2009. Subject to available funding, works on the southern banks are expected to commence in the early part of 2010.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (18 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is involved in the procurement and development of a wide variety of building projects. It considers the use of Framework Agreements, as provided in Directive 2004/18/EC to be a method of procuring building professionals, which best meets the business needs of the organisation. At present the OPW has in place a multi-supplier Framework Agreement for the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works are currently in negotiations with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regarding the staffing posts and funding resources associated with the transfer of the coastal protection function with effect from 1 January 2009.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (18 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The Reception and Integration Agency of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has responsibility for the provision of accommodation for Asylum Seekers. The Commissioners of Public Works acting on the instructions of the Agency purchased the following properties for the purpose of accommodation of Asylum Seekers, which were subsequently disposed of. Parnell West Hotel — 38/39...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (18 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Work on the detailed design is currently in progress. It is expected to be completed by April 2009. The Office of Public Works is in discussion with Kildare Co. Council regarding funding of works. The discussions will be concluded when the detailed design is complete and estimates of costs and benefits are available.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (18 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The details of the sites purchased where decentralisation has been deferred are as follows: Location Site Cost Acquired € Cavan 2,900,000 2006 Dungarvan 2,383,500 2006 Edenderry 1,500,000 2006 Thomastown 1,800,000 2008 Thurles 967,500 2005 Waterford 8,000,000 2008 All of the above acquisitions preceded the Government's Budget decision to defer part of the Decentralisation...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (18 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The following document details all †̃Officeâ€TM space leased by the Office of Public Works with an annual rent of â'¬10,000 and above that was held by way of leases that were †̃liveâ€TM through 2007. It should be noted some buildings appear more than once in the list as there may be more than one lease associated with any building. County Location Lease Code Building...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (17 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: It is expected that a meeting with the relevant stakeholders will take place early in the New Year to discuss the proposed pilot project to remove silt from the Shannon Cut.

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (17 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together. The buses used for the shuttle service are powered by liquid petroleum gas and were the most ecologically friendly vehicles available on the market at the time of tender 2007 / 2008. These buses offer significant environmental benefits over diesel, including 96% lower emissions of nitrous oxide, zero particulate emissions and much lower...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (17 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together. The Steward's House is an integral part of the Farmleigh Estate, and it was included as part of the purchase of Farmleigh by the State in 1999. The Steward's House was refurbished to provide additional guest accommodation as part of the overall Farmleigh complex, but separate from the main house. As part of the Farmleigh Estate, it is...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (17 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The information sought by the Deputy in relation to usage of Farmleigh and the annual running costs of Farmleigh in each of the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 is given in the following tables. In addition to the cost of running Farmleigh as the premier guest facility for visiting Heads of State, the expenditure in each year supported significant other activity at Farmleigh in relation to its use...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (16 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I have investigated this matter. The Royal Hibernian Academy did not recommend the art works purchased by the OPW Art Management Office under the per cent for art scheme. There is no conflict of interest.

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (16 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Approximately 150 buildings in County Meath including Government Offices, schools, Garda stations and military establishments have been surveyed since the commencement of the Asbestos Management Programme. Surveys are undertaken to determine the location, type, form and condition of any asbestos present in the buildings. Works, where necessary, to ameliorate problems are carried out on a...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (16 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: A scope of works for the Refurbishment of Waterford Courthouse is being prepared at present and is expected to be available early in the new year. At that stage tenders will be sought from relevant firms of Consultants who are on the Framework Lists held by the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (16 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The Government Supplies Agency (GSA) is a Business Unit of the Office of Public Works, which provides a central procurement service for Government Departments, Offices and Agencies. The GSA was requested by the Revenue Commissioners in August 2008 to arrange the provision of 2.5 million copies of a 16-page PAYE information booklet. The estimated value of the job was greater than €50,000...

Written Answers — National Museum: National Museum (11 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Progress on this project is at an advanced stage and the Office of Public Works is currently preparing tender documents which should be finalised by April 2009. A decision to invite tenders and place a contract will then depend on the availability of funding.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (11 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: As announced in the Budget, the Government has reviewed the Decentralisation Programme in light of the changed economic circumstances and identified priority elements on which implementation should now proceed. The Government's decision will result in the relocation of up to 6,000 posts to over 40 locations outside of Dublin. This is made up of 2,600 posts already moved, together with an...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (11 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is staffed by both Civil Servants and Non-Established State Industrial Employees. The OPW conducted a census of its Civil Servant employees in early 2008 for the year ending 2007 seeking voluntary disclosure of disabilities in accordance with the definition provided in the Disability Act, 2005. There is no statutory obligation on an employee to declare that...