Results 461-480 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy asked a number of questions. A sum of €20 million has been provided for properties in this year's Department of Finance budget. It is obvious that we need to try to determine the locations as quickly as possible. The Office of Public Works, which has significant expertise in this area, will make decisions on the best locations. As I said, I understand from the last report that...

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I wish to help Deputy McGinley briefly. The answer to his question is "Yes". The discussions on the cross-Border agencies are ongoing and progress is being made on those areas. They have to be agreed on the basis of the implementation bodies and the other cross-Border committees. That is happening and progress is ongoing.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The central applications facility and the implementation teams in the Departments must deal with that. Deputy Allen is right in saying that previous experience has shown it is more difficult to get professional groups to move. He will recall — I believe it is his area — that we moved the Central Statistics Office to Mahon in Cork about 12 years ago. We had some difficulty in doing so....

Appointments to State Boards. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 10, inclusive, together. The information sought by the Deputies concerning the names of the persons appointed by me to State boards and agencies under my aegis, namely, the Information Society Commission, the National Statistics Board, the Law Reform Commission, the National Centre for Partnership and Performance, the National Economic and Social Council...

Appointments to State Boards. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to Deputy Kenny's first question, we always try to adhere to that figure, and most of the boards under my Department's control, such as the National Economic and Social Forum, draw from various groups, as Deputies will know from my responses to previous questions. One is therefore dependent on whom they put forward. However, we continually make the point. Some of them are very good,...

Appointments to State Boards. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The NESC is not a State board and certain groups have nominating rights. I have no control over the nominations and I must accept those made by the various bodies.

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: As we know, Brian Curtin was appointed a judge of the Circuit Court almost three years ago in November 2001. On 27 May 2002, the Director of Public Prosecutions prosecuted Judge Curtin for knowingly having in his possession child pornography, which is contrary to section 6 of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. Accordingly, the matter was dealt with on indictment in the Circuit...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny has raised two points. I may be incorrect, but I doubt that the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board or its secretariat or chairperson carries out security checks. I may be wrong, however.

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Perhaps they do, but I just have a feeling they do not. I take the point, however. I believe the important position of an usher in this House involves a security check. I believe all positions are important and should be checked. I shall make that suggestion. On the other aspect, we have spoken about this before, but at no time did either the Attorney General or the Minister indicate that...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I assure Deputy Rabbitte that Deputy Brennan will be a very good Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: As someone who has been a good constituency politician, caring for the welfare of his constituents, I believe he is well suited for that change from his last post of transport——

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I believe he will do an excellent job. I do not believe he will be quite as Scrooge-like as Deputy Rabbitte's former colleague and the president of his party, who only gave £1.50 to the old people when he had the limited opportunity of looking after them. Deputy Brennan will be far more caring. He will demonstrate this tonight when he talks about the carers' issue in the House. What normally...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Conor Lenihan's appointment is now totally regularised because I regularised it this morning. We will have to wait for the next Cabinet——

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to Deputy Rabbitte, I was amazed there was so much interest in the reason the Government was looking to the future in terms of what we are trying to do as a caring Government and the huge expenditure we have put into social, community, health and other aspects. We were looking to hear a broad based view on where we should best allocate resources in the next budget and following...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: As I said last week and previously, decisions made by Government are collective, responsible decisions and people act towards the agenda. As far as I am concerned, everybody is equal, regardless of the Ministry held. Whether it is I, a Minister or a Minister of State, people are equal. They have a job to do. Decisions are discussed in advance. The Government makes policy and by moving people...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I remind Deputy Ó Caoláin that in recent years the Minister, Deputy Brennan, was involved in progressing projects, nowhere more than in Deputy Ó Caoláin's constituency in Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Monaghan town and Cavan. They were all major projects and I thought he would have wanted to put that on the record of the House.

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: On the issue of Aer Lingus and as I said to Deputy Kenny some time ago, that report is being prepared. It should be ready some time in October and will examine some of the strategic issues raised about Aer Lingus. The Government will examine that report. I said previously that the idea of a management buy-out was not one I thought received support but we have to do these things properly and...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Government will continue to work closely with the trade unions representing Aer Lingus and its staff on all the issues vital to their future. The report on the future of Aer Lingus, which considers some of the strategic options and some of the difficulties, will be available this month and there will be an exchange with the workers. I have stated that I am familiar with the efforts of the...

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 18, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2004; No. 19, motion re referral to joint committee of the proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the draft order entitled Adoptive Leave Act 1995 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2004; No. 20, motion re referral to joint committee...

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It has been requested that this matter go before committee where it and all of the surrounding issues can be debated. The regulations are designed to increase the aggregate limit of the fund. The money in the fund is reinvested in the industry to develop its infrastructure. There are 25,000 jobs in this industry. I have no difficulty with the report being brought back to the House for debate....