Results 1,721-1,740 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Tax Code. (29 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I am pleased to take this opportunity to clarify matters relating to the introduction of an air travel tax that the Minister for Finance announced in the budget, which will come into force for passengers departing Irish airports on and from 30 March 2009. The Minister for Finance has answered parliamentary questions on this issue as recently as today. As has been stated previously, the...

Tax Code. (29 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: A person travelling within the UK, for example, will be liable to pay the UK air passenger duty of £10 or €12.65 on each leg of the journey. For example, a passenger departing from Manchester to London will be subject to the £10 tax and on the return journey departing from London to Manchester that passenger will also be subject to the £10 tax, giving a total tax liability of £20 or...

Tax Code. (29 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I am not aware of any airline that has threatened to pull out of the airports at London Stansted, Manchester or Birmingham because of the UK tax. I do not believe those threats should be applied to Irish airports when a more modest charge is applied.

Tax Code. (29 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I am not convinced that the new tax would have a dramatic effect on passenger levels and the suggestion by some that the tax would see fares double for prospective passengers does not present the full picture. In any event, for visitors to Ireland the price of travelling to and from Ireland is only one of the costs they will consider before choosing their holiday destination. General price...

Tax Code. (29 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The recent spate of failures in the airline sector were the result of the sizable spike in oil prices. Price pressures are now subsiding and fuel costs, which had increased to as much as 50% of some airlines' cost base, are falling dramatically. Airlines benefit from an international tax exemption on jet fuel. The extent of this benefit is illustrated by the fact that tax as a percentage...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (23 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The siting of the proposed Visitor Centre at Nenagh Castle has been re-examined and Consultant Architects are due to report on it shortly. Work on the Keep has commenced with inspection works, initial condition assessment and mortar analysis. Scaffolding has been erected, the decking has been completed and work has commenced. It is estimated that it will take approximately 12 -18 months to...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (23 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The Government has decided that the decentralisation of the Office of Public Works to the location should be deferred for consideration until 2011. €9,130 has been expended to date on site investigations.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) (Resumed) (23 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Garda Stations (23 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I thank Senator Keaveney. I share her affection for the peninsula of Inishowen. An ancestor of mine, Eleanor O'Doherty, was the sister of Sir Cahir O'Doherty. I have positive family connections. I wish what I had to say on this matter brought her more comfort. Demographic changes in the Carndonagh area of County Donegal and an increasingly busy operational environment for the Garda...

Seanad: Garda Stations (23 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I take note of the final points made by Senator Keaveney. She referred to moneys for Garda buildings but we are in an even tighter situation now than we were six months ago. However, from here on I will take a personal interest in progress on the matter.

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (22 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed that the project will proceed on the site purchased for that purpose. Tender documents are currently being finalised and tenders will be invited in the near future. The new offices will be procured on a Design and Build basis. The project will also include the provision of accommodation for local staff of the Departments of Agriculture,...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (22 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: A scheme has been prepared by the Commissioners of Public Works. A decision on whether to proceed with the scheme will be made shortly.

Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: It is always regrettable when the Government must take away an entitlement, actual or anticipated. It is doubly regrettable when confusion about those who may be affected causes anxiety among older people who deserve to be treated well by us. Nevertheless, I am happy that arising from the controversy, a fair and well-judged balance has been arrived at between, on the one hand, the cold...

Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: ——and demanding a €640 capitation fee, or nearly for times as much, for a better off patient.

Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Was it simply done——

Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Was it simply done for income compensation? The vested interests, certainly in this instance well represented on the frontbench, trump value for money considerations in Fine Gael. The Fine Gael spokesperson on health now claims he is working on a universal health policy scheme. The primary beneficiaries would be, in the first instance, the comfortably well off with medical insurance....

Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Next year when the Government deficit will be €12 billion, the cost of the unaltered GMS scheme will have arisen by 20% from €1.7 billion to around €2.05 billion in the context of a total health budget of €15 billion or a doubling of expenditure since 2003. This is not sustainable going into more difficult times. Changes to the capitation fee are essential. The implications for...

Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: This may be the first of several difficult years. My concern would be that if the savings in the budget are not made and if the situation deteriorates more than expected, our ability to maintain the broad level of public services, which are now taken for granted, may be undermined, possibly forcing even more difficult decisions and less discriminate ones.

Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: It is essential for confidence and for people's longer-term welfare that the overall bottom line of the budget be adhered to. That will require some contribution and understanding by everyone in a position to give it, regardless of status, and a readiness by political partners in Government to take a stand on defensible ground with determination.

Medical Cards: Motion (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: What people will remember about this budget is whether we rose to the challenge of helping the country safely through a very difficult time.