Results 2,441-2,460 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: Traditionally that did not happen. Senator Ryan spoke as if we were facilitating the sale of a State asset, if not actually selling it. We are not. We are giving those companies options. He also spoke about rental income. People who buy houses to let have to pay capital gains tax, as well as tax on income. Do I think it is fair? Such people have done well in recent times and the State likes...

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: When we changed the tax rules in the wake of one of the Bacon reports rents went through the roof. A fine balance has to be struck between the rental market and first-time buyers. Some people have made obscene profits in recent times. If a bit of sense enters the housing market those people might be hurt but that is the game they are in. When they are winning they do well——

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: They will not get it from me. We are simply providing options. On the point regarding credit unions, it might seem strange that building society legislation comes under the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as the Department mainly deals with social and affordable housing, and trying to encourage the private market. This is a throwback to earlier years, when the...

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: The amendments are not necessary and do not add to the Bill. The Bill provides additional options for building societies to demutualise. It has been drafted in a way that ensures there is a transparent framework for conversions under the 1989 Act, which is being maintained. Appropriate controls are in place and the rigorous framework for conversions already exists. It is not necessary to...

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: No, I said at the start that I was not.

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am sorry to disappoint the Senator. We have considered them. Everything is worthy of consideration, but it is not intended to accept them. We do not believe they add anything to the Bill. I have outlined the process that exists. It may well be that this is how they do it in other countries. I do not mind looking at how it is done in other countries, but it does not mean we have to imitate...

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I cannot accept the amendment. It is not appropriate because section 48 of the 1989 Act provides that a building society shall have at least three directors and this is in line with other credit institutions which should have at least two directors. In company law the requirement is also for a minimum of two. The Bill is intended to address a range of issues based largely on the...

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I thank Senators for their co-operation in ensuring the Bill was passed this evening. In an ideal world, we might like more time. I record my appreciation for the work done in the Department. While it may be thought of as a small Bill, tortuous work has been done behind the scenes to get agreement between the different sides.

Seanad: Hospital Services. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I will be taking the Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, incorporating the National Children's Hospital, AMNCH, was opened in June 1998. The hospital was built at a cost of approximately €180 million and has 588 beds available. It replaced outmoded and inadequate facilities...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: If the Senator's questions were on housing or drugs I might be better equipped to answer them. The reply included a guarantee to that effect in respect of the existing hospital. I believe a meeting was held last week——

Seanad: Hospital Services. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: Yes. I think I saw some reference to that effect in the media. I am under the impression that assurances were given to that effect, and that any concerns people may have had about the ethos of the Mater Hospital being fully enforced were allayed. I believe the Government intends that the new children's hospital will be multidenominational or secular, whichever term the Senator may prefer. I...

Seanad: Communications Masts. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am pleased to address the House on this important issue. I begin by emphasising that planning permission is generally required for communications masts. There is great confusion in this area, with many people mistakenly believing masts are exempt from the need to obtain planning permission. Like most security related developments, masts used for the purposes of or in connection with the...

Seanad: Communications Masts. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: We will not consider why so many doctors seem to be lining up to join the party. Perhaps they believe there is better protection for them in the party in terms of their contracts. I have heard some medical experts express the view that we are at greater risk from a television than a mobile telephone mast, while others claim the latter are extremely dangerous. I accept there is concern in this...

Seanad: Communications Masts. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: The planning process is a formal legal process containing a great deal of legislation. I do not think Government could, even if it so wished, direct that should be set aside. The Senator alluded to inconsistencies in how different local authorities reach decisions. This may be due to different development plans but the Government does not tend to issue instructions in this regard. Interfering...

Seanad: Pension Provisions. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I appreciate that this is a topic of interest and concern across the House. The Local Government (Superannuation) Act 1980 enables the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to make superannuation schemes for employees of local authorities. However, councillors are not local authority employees and could not, therefore, be...

Seanad: Pension Provisions. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I would second that.

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: The scheme of community support for older people is aimed at encouraging and assisting the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. This is why the scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. In addition to funding the once-off cost of installing socially...

Written Answers — National Standards Authority: National Standards Authority (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question 453 of 30 May 2006. My Department has been consulting with the relevant stakeholders in this area about the imposition of standards for socially monitored alarms, as covered by the Scheme of Community Support for Older People (CSOP), in particular IS EN50134. This process involves consultations with the NSAI and with service...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: Under the 2006 round of Dormant Account Funding, a total of €24 million is being targeted at measures tackling economic and social disadvantage. The roll-out of these measures is well underway and applications are being invited for the specific programmes on a phased basis as the operational arrangements are finalised. One of the measures provides funding of up to €3 million for...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (27 Sep 2006)

Noel Ahern: The Programme of Grants for Locally-Based Community and Voluntary Organisations organised by my Department includes a scheme under which funding towards the purchase of certain equipment can be provided to support the activities of groups who are addressing disadvantage in their communities. All applications under this scheme are assessed objectively against the published criteria and up to...