Results 401-420 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: No. 8 has been referred to a committee and those points can be taken up in it. No. 9 is a motion regarding terrorist acts and would not cover an act caused by negligence. It is designed to deal with unlawful acts of criminality and terror. Question, "That the proposal for dealing with Nos. 8 to 10, inclusive, without debate be agreed", put and declared carried.

Order of Business. (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister said that discussions with the farming organisations on this have been ongoing for some time. The aim is to work towards achieving a derogation in the future.

Order of Business. (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The legislation is under preparation and the issue is that the workers want to make their submissions but cannot. I intend to honour my commitment to give them time to make them.

Order of Business. (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The transport reform Bill will be introduced this year.

Order of Business. (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The disability Bill, the Comhairle Bill and the sectoral plans are close to completion. I do not think they will be ready in the next week or two but they should be ready shortly.

Order of Business. (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: We continue to discuss the issues with the disabilities groups.

Order of Business. (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, it has been recommended that a short amendment be made. That is being considered and will be discussed at a meeting later this evening.

Order of Business. (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: With the agreement of the House, it could be done this week.

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I have not issued any written directions to the Secretary General of my Department within the meaning of sections 4 to 6 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.

Written Answers — Departmental Policy: Departmental Policy (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is normal practice in my Department for full consideration to be given to the financial implications, in so far as these can be reasonably quantified, in relation to the preparation and implementation of policy proposals which relate to income or expenditure for which my Department has responsibility and, where appropriate, these are brought to my attention. I am not aware of any situation...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Management Advisory Committee, MAC, which has been meeting since the early 1990s, comprises the Secretary General, the second secretary, the deputy and assistant secretaries and the head of corporate affairs. The personnel officer also attends MAC meetings. The role of the MAC is to advise the Secretary General on matters relating to the effective discharge of his functions and the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: There are no proposals to decentralise any section of my Department or any of the bodies or agencies operating under its aegis. Accordingly, the preparation of implementation plans does not arise.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: My Department participates in approximately 100 interdepartmental committees or bodies, most of which currently hold their meetings in Dublin. This includes both standing and temporary committees as well as such sub-groups as may be attended from time to time. The total includes both groups for which my Department is responsible, and those which are the responsibility of other Departments...

Written Answers — Strategic Management Initiative: Strategic Management Initiative (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The PA consulting group's evaluation of the strategic management initiative, published in March 2002, found that the Civil Service was more effective than it was a decade previously and that very positive developments had taken place, particularly as regards openness and accountability, customer service and regulatory reform. The evaluation also found, however, that the next phase of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The objective of the management information framework, MIF, is to provide Departments with a flexible system of financial management, integrated with performance and output measurement so as to enhance efficiency, performance and accountability. MIF ensures more efficient processing of financial transactions and accounts, thereby providing better financial information. This in turn ensures...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: My Department's internal audit committee comprises three officials, of whom one is an external member. The members are appointed by the Secretary General of my Department in his capacity as accounting officer. The committee has met on six occasions and operates under a written charter. Reports prepared by the internal audit unit are considered by the committee and are subsequently forwarded...

Written Answers — Fógraíocht Ranna: Fógraíocht Ranna (25 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Molaim ar Cheisteanna Uimh. 71 go 73 a thógáil le chéile. Ar mhaithe le h-aitheantas na Roinne seo don Ghaeilge, cinntítear go mbíonn iomlán an fhógraíochta a chuirtear in sna nuachtáin dhá theangach. Roghnaítear na nuachtáin de réir an chineál fógraíochta atá i gceist, an phobail ar a bhfuil sé ag díriú, chomh maith le luach airgid. Mar sin, úsáidtear nuachtáin...

Official Engagements. (1 Jun 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 16, inclusive, together. To date I have visited 17 of the 24 member states as part of my ongoing tour of capitals in advance of the European Council later this month. On the first leg, from 5 to 7 May, I visited Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. On the second leg, from 12 to 14 May, I visited Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Italy, Portugal...

Official Engagements. (1 Jun 2004)

Bertie Ahern: On the outstanding issues, I still have to speak with seven countries, including some of the larger member states and those discussions will be extremely important. The opinions of every country are important but Germany, France and the United Kingdom, which has concerns about justice and home affairs, have all raised a range of issues throughout the Convention, never mind in the discussions...

Official Engagements. (1 Jun 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I could do with one. We must try to resolve that issue. I hope I am wrong, but I believe it will involve very difficult negotiations. I am not quite sure how it can be resolved because the countries have different positions and there are at least five groups. The Lisbon strategy is the strategy that has the support of trade unions and employers. It is a strategy I have also supported....