Results 2,821-2,840 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As Deputy Kenny said, two reports were undertaken, the last one in 2002. The next one is due before the end of this year. The Department has already tendered for a company to undertake the report. The aim is to target the questionnaire at those who use the Department, both individuals and outside agencies. The findings of the previous report regarding services were subsequently implemented. A...

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the e-Cabinet project, there was an initial budget of €5 million, which was an estimate based on the other work done in the Department. Obviously, it included the consultancy work on the design and framework of the project, which was required to set it up. The project is being rolled out and the early elements of the plan, which amount to a quite significant number, have been completed....

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will answer a question later about the number and grades of officials involved in decentralisation. Decentralisation will not create difficulties for customer service standards. Various working groups have considered how to deal with this issue and have done some excellent work on it. There is plenty of experience to work with because decentralisation has been a successful practice in the...

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If the Deputy puts down a detailed question I will give a detailed reply. I do not have the information here.

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Significant progress has been achieved. I was outlining some of the many other areas in which there is work to do. We are getting into the next round of benchmarking and, as I have stated inside and outside the House, there has been a demand that the next round should be transparent and we should endeavour to achieve further reforms in the public service through that process. All Departments,...

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I hope the present difficulties regarding the social contract can be resolved. I understand the Irish Congress of Trade Unions at its meeting today is seeking clarification following the letter I gave to its representatives after the meeting last Thursday night. I am open to engagement on that issue. Clearly I cannot resolve the issues prior to negotiations but will attempt to do so following...

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The group includes representatives of Departments and offices, Civil Service trade unions, other social partners and customer organisations, the Consumers Association of Ireland, the Small Firms Association, the National Disability Authority, the Disability Federation, the IPA, the Equality Authority, the consultative committee on racism and inter-culturalism, the Northern Ireland Civil...

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know, but there are many Department officials there, men and women.

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 6, inclusive, together. The information sought by the Deputy concerning the names of the persons appointed by me since June 2002 to State boards and agencies under my Department's aegis, namely the National Statistics Board, the Law Reform Commission, the National Centre for Partnership and Performance, the National Economic and Social Council and the...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In fairness to Deputy Kenny, my reply will not help him on his last question. The person concerned is engaged in one area as far as I know. I am not sure if he is in receipt of payment but I presume he is. However, he is off all the boards with which my Department is involved or that are connected with social partnership. On Deputy Kenny's first question, I readily admit that we do not serve...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte knows how they go up and down. On State boards, the answer is "Yes". In all the names that come before Government, we endeavour to ensure we keep to the percentage. It is not always maintained by Departments and certainly not by the organisations that have nominating rights to boards. It is an ongoing difficulty which does not only concern social partners but many...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Does the Deputy mean forever more?

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will think about that. I do not believe the House — and I have sat on this side and on the opposite side——

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have been on the opposite side for many periods.

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not believe the House serves itself well by making appointments in the interregnum. I have argued that point on the opposite side of the House and in Government, but I have not always won the argument. The situation following an election is different. I will not go into the argument. I could argue that Members on both sides have done this. I am not sure if I am guilty of having done it,...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I might have some influence if it arises again. I would not like to start a practice, as has happened on many occasions in the past, only for it to be ignored by others on taking office. I always make a virtue of initiating such practices and then others turn around and do the complete opposite and one is left looking silly. Unless there was real agreement on this proposal, I would not be...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If it ever arises, I might show a good example.

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not believe we did it on the last occasion. I probably have the best record on this.

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I answered Deputy Kenny's earlier question on this. There may be cases where it is essential that this is done, but generally filling all appointments in the interregnum — Deputy Kenny was honourable in admitting it has happened on all sides of the House — is not good practice. It does not look good to the members of the public. Anything that affects the House negatively in terms of how...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In the dim, distant future.