Results 4,241-4,260 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 14, Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 1, Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006 — Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Report and Final Stages of No. 14 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously...

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This Bill was ready for publication before the summer recess last year. However, the committee and the industry wanted to give their views on it and the Minister held it over until the autumn. In the autumn, because of the strong views held by Members, it was held over to January. We have now reached the end of February. The Bill has received a long airing and much discussion. In reply to...

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is not in line with precedent. It was always the position for as long as I have been a Member of the House that the Private Members' vote was at 8.30 p.m. Whips wanted to keep it that way over the years because there is always the danger that Members would drift out of the Chamber at 8.30 p.m. In my view some other arrangement needs to be found. Tonight I will agree to the Deputy's...

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I agree to it on this occasion, but it is the last time I will do so.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In 2006, later this year.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Which Bill?

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is a lovely place.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Bill have been approved by Government and it will be published in the next day or two.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Voluntary agreements on advertising have been reached with the drinks industry. Therefore the Department wishes to hold off the introduction of this legislation pending the outcome of these voluntary agreements. The heads of the Bill are ready. If it has a positive effect, then we can consider the position. If the effect is negative, we can go ahead with the legislation.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I believe the Minister agreed a period.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Both of those Bills will be published this year.

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave to a similar question on 25 October 2005, ref. 24237/05. The following table shows the appointments made since. Boards and agencies under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach State Board or Agency Name of Appointee Date of Appointment National Economic and Social Council...

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As for the NESC, to be precise, the percentage of women stands at 19%. Most of the boards in question should have many more women serving on them. However, these bodies are all composed of representatives of the social partners. Farmers, employers and trade unions do not have a tendency to appoint anything which resembles a fair representation of women, in spite of ongoing arguments and...

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I understand it is 19% of the total figure.

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In respect of the NESC?

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The figure is 19%. However, as far as I am aware, the total number is 30. Such people are nominees of the social partners and one cannot refuse to take them. It is an ongoing battle. As for bodies such as the IFSC, in which there are clearing house groups, rather than boards, we have a high proportion of women. However, in respect of the main bodies, the National Statistics Board is different...

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Over the years there has always been an effort to include northern input and representation on the board of NESC and other bodies, maybe not a high number but it would not justify a high number. That has been done by successive Governments and it is still the position. We should include such representation on State boards in general, particularly where there is an economic, social or cultural...

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There is a number of people either working or on the committees of NESF and all of those boards who are fluent and who would deal with Irish. They have a fairly high proportion of such people because of their interests. Disability does not really apply to these boards but the National Disability Council has a strong board and there are others where disabilities are well represented. Some of...

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Generally, the figure has remained high and across most boards it is fairly good. With regard to the representative groups, it continues to be a problem. In so far as I engage in these appointments, I put pressure on my Department. The last appointment in January was to the board of the National Centre for Partnership and Performance and the point raised by the Deputy was relevant. We have...

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I think not. There is a screening process. If somebody were disqualified from a business perspective, he or she would not get through. I do not know of such an individual off the top of my head but if somebody were disqualified from business, he or she would hardly get through as an IBEC or Chambers of Commerce of Ireland representative, which are normally the representative groups involved.