Results 1,661-1,680 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Senator Fitzgerald asked about the evaluation of public expenditure. That exercise is focused on current expenditure. She also asked about progress on public procurement reform. I remind Senators that savings were achieved during the course of this year and that projected savings are integrated into the Estimates for 2009. However, more work is to be done in this regard, as in every area...

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Senator Fitzgerald made some very derogatory comments on the subject of decentralisation, which is what one tends to hear from Deputies and Senators representing areas in south Dublin. It is important to note that within two years' time, incorporating the recent budget decisions, 6,000 of the originally envisaged 10,000 staff will be in place in different parts of the State.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: As anybody from outside Dublin knows, the decentralisation programme has been of major benefit to the areas concerned. Moreover, Fine Gael Deputies and Senators in these areas are fully in support of decentralisation unlike some of their Dublin colleagues.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Comparisons are sometimes made with the situation in 1997. It is my recollection that we already had three or four good economic years, prior to the instatement of the rainbow Government, during the Fianna Fáil-Labour Government of 1993 to 1994.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The term "Celtic tiger" was first used in August or September 1994.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The amazing thing is how long a run we had. We have had the most fantastic economic run in our history. However, it was never going to be eternal.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: We did not succeed in abolishing the economic cycle. Next Monday, I will attend the opening of the Cullahill-Cashel motorway, only six or seven months after I opened the Cahir-Mitchelstown motorway. These additional 40 miles of motorway will be of benefit not only to people in Tipperary but also in Cork and elsewhere.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The reality is that Fine Gael has offered little other than tired clichés. As a former leader of that party once said to me, "You do not win everything that you try; and if you do not try anything, you will never succeed." This Government has had one or two failures and they are trotted out on every occasion.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: However, there has been vast investment in schools, hospitals and other infrastructure. We have made good use of the resources available to us. I am not worried about the precedents.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: There has been much criticism of the former Taoiseach when he was Minister for Finance. I apologise, I refer to the current Taoiseach.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: In 2006, when I was a Member of this House, I referred in the Chamber to the fact that the Financial Times had voted him the best Minister for Finance in Europe.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Therefore, the notion that everybody could see that we were heading for the rocks is false. International experts did not predict anything of the sort. There is no basis for such claims. The achievements of the Irish economy were admired for years. One cannot expect, any more than on the hurling field, to be at the top forever. From time to time, there will be setbacks. The economic...

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: It has hit us quite hard. However, we should not lose perspective on the fantastic 20 years we have had——-

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: ——-which have transformed this country. It is deeply appreciated by most people in this country.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Yes.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (4 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The Park Rangers have been instructed to request pedestrians to use footpaths rather than cycle lanes for safety purposes and regularly patrol the cycle lanes to encourage pedestrians to use the footpaths. In addition, the markings on the cycle lanes have recently been renewed.

Written Answers — Departmental Procurement: Departmental Procurement (4 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The 178th annual exhibition of the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) was selected and assembled by Members of the RHA. The Members of the RHA viewed over 3,000 submitted works of art, and chose 535 of what they considered to be the very best. From this exhibition, nineteen works of art were chosen by representatives from Garda headquarters in the Phoenix Park with the expert advice and...

Written Answers — Drainage Schemes: Drainage Schemes (3 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Responsibility for maintenance of the Awbeg River rests with Cork County Council.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (2 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together. The Office of Public Works has not received a request for funding from Limerick County Council for works at Newcastle West. The OPW is currently examining potential options to mitigate the risk to the town of flooding from the River Arra, which is maintained by the Office. The aim of such measures would be to provide the level of...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (2 Dec 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The annual rent for the office space at Dockgate in Galway was €744,825.84 for 2006 and 2007. This included a cost of €53,646.45 per annum for 65 car park spaces. In addition, service charges of approximately €74,000 were paid each year. The entire space leased by the Commissioners of Public Works at this location is allocated to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I...