Results 1,781-1,800 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: ——of the financing of that budget. The view behind it is that anyone with an income outside of State benefits should be in a position to contribute 1%——

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: This is because if one has a small income, the amount is only nominal. Let us say one works two or three hours per week outside of other entitlements and earns, for example, €60. The 1% levy amounts to 60 cent. The idea that this will bring ruin and tribulation on anyone is not the case.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: At higher levels it does, which is the whole point. It raises substantial amounts of income. If one earns €100,000 per year, the levy raises €1,000 and if one earns €200,000, it raises €3,000. It is calculated on gross income and there are no allowances, exemptions or whatever to get in the way of collecting the money.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: It brings home the point that we all benefit from society and all must contribute in however small a way. I welcome the budget measures which mean that, apart from the levy, those on the minimum wage will stay outside the tax net. Similarly, those on the average industrial wage will be exempt from the standard rate band.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: It is correct.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The affirmation of no change to the corporation tax rate is very important in retaining Ireland's attractiveness for inward investment and, given the other tax changes, it is important to state this fact. This has been amplified by the research and development incentive which will reduce the impact of the 12.5% corporation tax in real terms. I am pleased that substantial funding continues...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: In comparing the situation to the past, one needs to take into account that there has been much improvement and we now have special assistants, resource teachers and so on. They alleviate the burden on the classroom teacher. Changes in the social welfare package amounted to €0.5 billion. The main increases were more than 3%, ahead of the rate of inflation. This amounts to an 8.4%...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The increase of 8 cent on petrol will be avoided by those with diesel vehicles and it will encourage a movement in that direction. This is one of many environmental measures and incentives in the budget.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I welcome the maintenance of the commitment to development aid. I return to the subject of the public service. There is a notion propagated, more outside the House than inside, in certain newspapers that we have a vast, bloated public service. The reality is that compared to other countries the numbers in the public service are limited. It is barely more than 10% of the workforce, or if...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I have not repudiated anything. What Government policy is this?

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: No.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The public service in recent times has served the country remarkably well.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I had an opportunity to observe this at close quarters when attending the IMF World Bank meeting in Washington in recent days. Officials there worked in tandem with officials on this side of the Atlantic in preparation for a meeting in Paris. Along with the political leadership given, we have been very well served in underpinning and sustaining our financial system under remarkable...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: There are many projects in progress. They are of significant value to the towns in which they are located. Deputy Varadkar said he would prefer to scrap decentralisation and concentrate on broadband. While broadband is important, that view is not shared by the people of my home town. I am glad the budget for flood relief works has been maintained. The Office of Public Works will continue...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I thank all Senators for their contributions to the debate on the budget and I will respond to some points. First, for the information of the House, while we have been speaking, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has published the scheme which is subject to the approval of the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme 2008. Senators Ross and...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: He accused the Government of decimating rural Ireland and at the same time not killing off decentralisation. The decentralisation programme is very important to rural Ireland.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: The Senator has not studied the budget.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: Perhaps the Senator will speak to the chairman of his parliamentary party who warmly welcomed the announcement.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: I am responding to the Senator rather than attacking him. One thing I missed in the debate, except through hints, was an absence of a constructive alternative. Points were made about the different measures, including for example, that taxation and expenditure will cause pain. As Senator Butler said, that is true. The only alternative I heard was explicitly stated by Senator Harris and was...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Martin Mansergh: A number of agencies are being amalgamated.