Results 3,101-3,120 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Legislative Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I gave my views and these are reflected in the report. I support the report and believe reform is necessary in the Upper House, as do my esteemed colleagues in the Upper House. We could get far more out of the Upper House through some of the reform measures in the report, which I support.

Legislative Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Stagg does not ask me too many questions. At his behest, I raised this matter last year with the RTE authority and discussed the matter with it when I opened the new offices in Millbank, in the United Kingdom. The members of the authority raised two issues, the cost and the legislative element. I understand the legislative matters can be resolved in the broadcasting Bill. This leaves...

Legislative Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The report already published is the basis of the discussion.

Cabinet Committees. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 11, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on social inclusion and the Cabinet committee on children last met on 5 October 2005. The next meeting of both committees is scheduled for tomorrow. I chair both the Cabinet committee on social inclusion and the Cabinet committee on children. Their membership includes the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and...

Cabinet Committees. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The National Children's Office co-ordinates aspects of various Departments and that is probably as good as one can make it. I am not saying that cannot be improved upon because everything can always be improved through more input. Neither I nor the Minister think the idea of a separate Department for children is worthwhile because one cannot take children out of the education or health...

Cabinet Committees. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is a member of that committee, which deals with all social inclusion issues across a range of Departments. Obviously, child care and related issues are discussed at that committee. As I said in reply to Deputy Rabbitte, children's issues are being dealt with by the National Children's Office. As is obvious from recent issues, the equal...

Cabinet Committees. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As I said to Deputy Rabbitte, I do not think it is workable because one cannot take the child from the family or remove children from the health and education sectors. Rather than have a duplication of effort, it is better to co-ordinate such efforts. Specific issues can be dealt with by the Minister for Health and Children, but one cannot duplicate the entire effort. When necessary, the...

Cabinet Committees. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The committee meets monthly and the various Departments deal with its agenda. Much of the cross-departmental work deals with the Disability Act 2004, sectoral plans, the Comhairle Bill, the multi-annual investment plans and the Disability Services Bill. The latter measures have all been designed to put more resources into the disability sector.

Cabinet Committees. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will provide a short reply.

Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 to 16, inclusive, together. There are no proposals to decentralise any section of my Department or any of the bodies or agencies operating under its aegis.

Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We still have enough time.

Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Since I am not going anywhere, it is very easy, is it not?

Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: A significant part of the Central Statistics Office is already located in Cork. Some 48 staff from my Department have applied through the central applications facility to relocate under the decentralisation programme. The breakdown by grade is: assistant principal, seven; higher executive officer, five; administrative officer, ten; executive officer, 12; staff officer, three; and clerical...

Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Office of Public Works is engaged in all the departmental moves, and controls the entire programme of costs, whether for land or buildings. Whenever the State is involved in such transactions people try to increase the costs but the Office of Public Works, under the Department of Finance, is in control.

Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In my Department, 20% of staff, a total of 48 out of 220 people, have applied to move. That is in line with a very high figure elsewhere. While 2004 was the closing date for applications to the central applications facility, anyone who wants to get onto that list can do so because that was the closing date for priority applications. Several members of the staff have expressed an interest...

Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The problem in my Department is that I am not moving but 20% of my staff want to move so it is a different situation.

Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: They want to go to the country. They want to go to Monaghan.

Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I like visiting the country every time I get a chance to do so.

Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I was in Monaghan two weeks ago. I cannot go back again for a while.

Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There is an excellent hospital there.