Results 2,041-2,060 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, we have tried in a substantial way to help the legal representatives, families and Justice for the Forgotten. Another €30,000 is being processed in my Department to help them in respect of the group's engagement with the Oireachtas committee and Mr. Justice Barron's report. We have tried to help them all along for the reasons the Deputy correctly outlined. The...

Benchmarking Awards. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together. The cost of the next phase of the benchmarking award to my Department, payable in June 2005, is estimated at €150,000. This increase has been calculated in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines and all staff under the grade of Assistant Secretary level are eligible to receive the benchmarking increase. Under the terms of...

Benchmarking Awards. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In terms of what has been happening in the whole modernisation process in the public service, surveys are being done now and people involved in that modernisation process are giving their views. Staff are involved in the change of structures, work practices and the preparation of the various documents across Departments. In my Department I am aware there is satisfaction and an engagement with...

Benchmarking Awards. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am in favour of the process being as open as possible as this avoids problems and arguments and the situation where I or anyone else have to defend the decision. The only argument made against this was that information on comparable grades was received from a considerable amount of people in the private sector, perhaps 25,000. As benchmarking was carried out across an enormous amount of...

Benchmarking Awards. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In my Department there is no difficulty. In other Departments I think there are areas of difficulty. In my Department I can point to an area of productivity. In the period of benchmarking we have had to take a 4% cut in salary and a 4% cut in numbers. The Department will achieve the target and additional functions and work will have to be taken on in a number of areas. That work has been...

Benchmarking Awards. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The answer to the last question is yes. Within the figures the MAC of my Department has the flexibility to try to rearrange things, seeing as the presidency came within the period to which the Deputy referred. In terms of achieving the bottom line figures, as has to be done in the report to the Department of Finance by every Department, this has been achieved. At the same time there are...

Benchmarking Awards. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Staff of all grades have benefited from the various increases given from 2001. Although I do not have the breakdown of figures for my Department, all staff benefited to a certain extent. The benchmarking process has worked well for them all, including people in lower grades. The benchmarking group is due to meet again later this year, at the end of this process, and its report is due in the...

Computerisation Programme. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together. The main phase of e-Cabinet has been in operation across all Departments and ministerial offices since the middle of last year. It was introduced at Government meetings at the end of 2004. At an official launch in February 2005 the Government Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for the information society, Deputy Kitt,...

Computerisation Programme. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The plan to link disparate systems that were unable to talk to each other —to use their own lingo — is almost complete. The current process of e-Government has already been completed because the whole system had to be integrated. The Deputy's question relates to broader computer systems and ensuring that each Department and agency is purchasing and using compatible equipment. The...

Computerisation Programme. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: To the best of my knowledge, local authorities are already using the e-Government system.

Computerisation Programme. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: South Dublin County Council is certainly well advanced in this respect.

Order of Business. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 20, Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004 — Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage; No. 21, Maritime Safety Bill 2004 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 22, Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill 2004 — Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business shall be No. 49, motion re nursing homes (resumed), to conclude at 8.30 p.m.

Order of Business. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The health Bill, which is to provide for the establishment on a statutory basis of the health information equality authority and the Irish social services inspectorate, also covers a statutory framework for the handling of complaints within the health services. It takes account of the review of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 and the 1993 regulations, and of the efforts made within the...

Order of Business. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The referendum is being held in the Netherlands today and the issue will be discussed at a meeting of the European Council in two weeks' time. I will not make any reconsideration until I have heard what all our EU colleagues have to say. I will then report to the House.

Order of Business. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: That Bill has been taken off the list.

Order of Business. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There is no debate promised, though the Whips may consider the matter. The Minister met Deputies this morning regarding the issue, and the position is as Deputy Howlin outlined.

Order of Business. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have no date for the introduction of the nurses amendment Bill, which will update the provisions relating to the regulations for nurses and midwives, nor for the prison service Bill, though the legislation is being prepared.

Order of Business. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There is a health and safety Bill currently before the House, though I am not sure which Stage it is at.

Order of Business. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Maritime Safety Bill will be in the House today.

Order of Business. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I understand the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is quite happy to have a debate on it.