Results 221-240 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I attended its first meeting. Its members seemed decent, knowledgeable people with much experience in the community and voluntary sector.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: However, they do not have the required structure to do the job adequately. I see no reason for setting up an alternative structure when the existing departmental and Civil Service structure is available.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: At present we have allocated some staff and are using ADM to process the applications. The other issues of accountability, governance and financial control will arise afterwards. They will be problems down the line when the money begins to be spent. Some money has been allocated. If we were to do all this under one body we would be creating another monster. That can be done, but at a cost. It...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: ——or do we want to get the money to where it is required? It will help people who are disadvantaged and those with disabilities. That is the fundamental issue.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I am confident.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Legislation will be introduced in the coming months and I am confident that when people in this House have an opportunity to consider it in detail they will feel differently. I understand there is some political play-acting.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: When people study the legislation they will be confident that what we are doing is in the best interests of——

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: ——the fund and of the people who will benefit from the fund. We should keep our minds on that. I commend the amendment to the House.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Can I tell the Senator——

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Some of the Senator's colleagues were most complimentary to the same Minister in the Dáil recently about the fund.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Why?

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Are politicians the only people with an agenda?

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: What aspect is the Senator referring to?

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The Senator should stop spreading and creating it.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Perhaps we should stop, gather our thoughts and stop spreading that.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I could give the Senator a lecture on how to keep in touch with the people.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The Senator wants more of them. Have we not learned the lesson about setting up more bureaucracy?

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: That is what we are trying to do.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The Government should know.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Why did the Committee of Public Accounts not recommend a structure?