Results 9,721-9,740 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I travelled to South Africa from 13th to 15th January and to Tanzania from 15th to 18th January, 2008. The purpose of the visits were to further develop Irish-South African bilateral relations and promote business links between our two countries and to visit Irish Aid funded development projects in both South Africa and Tanzania. The official delegation included Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D.,...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: My Department's computer systems are protected against security breaches through the use of industry standard security procedures and products. These products produce reports on attempted and actual security breaches. There have been no reported or attempted attacks on my Department's computer systems. We continually monitor and update our security procedures and products to ensure that a...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The following table outlines the costs of the Communications Unit in respect of my Department for the years 2002 to 2007 inclusive. Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Total â'¬97,218 â'¬125,588 â'¬118,241 â'¬135,183 â'¬162,275 â'¬129,709

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: No personal data held by my Department has been compromised in any way since June 2002.

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I have consistently called on the British Government to cooperate fully with inquiries which were established in this jurisdiction into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974. Both the Barron Inquiry and the Commission of Investigation in their reports commented on the reluctance of the British authorities to provide access to original documentation on security grounds and, of course, I...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175, 177 and 178 together. 32 staff currently serving in my Department have applied through the Central Applications Facility to relocate under the Decentralisation Programme. The breakdown by grade is: Grade Number Principal Officer 1 Assistant Principal 5 Higher Executive Officer 3 Administrative Officer 7 Executive Officer 6 Staff Officer 1...

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I am satisfied that my Department has met the 3% employment quota for people with disabilities. As of 31 December, 2007, of the 210 staff surveyed in my Department, 7.1% voluntarily disclosed that they had a disability. Staff are recruited to my Department through the Public Appointments Service on the basis that they meet the requirements of the positions they are to fill. Recruitment,...

Social Partnership. (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 11, inclusive, together. The National Implementation Body, NIB, which has been in existence since the start of 2001, continues to meet as necessary to oversee delivery of the industrial peace and stability provisions in Towards 2016. The NIB has met on a number of occasions recently to assist in the resolution of industrial disputes. Meetings of the NIB...

Social Partnership. (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is hoped that we can move on the commencement of the talks shortly. The terms of the pay agreement for the private sector under Towards 2016 are due to expire shortly. I expect that the next plenary meeting which will review the agreement this month will provide the basis for the initiation of formal talks, including those related to the new pay round. The preliminary discussions will...

Social Partnership. (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: On the first issue, that of the review body, I accept what Deputy Kenny said and I will not go back over it all again. For almost 40 years, the function of the body has been to advise the Government on the general levels of remuneration at the higher level so the Government, political officeholders, senior people in State bodies and agencies, local authorities, health boards, the Garda...

Social Partnership. (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I am aware the trade unions have raised some issues that they are not happy with. I am aware of the fees issue and some other issues. I am also aware there are many issues that were not in the agreement but which have arisen subsequently and been implemented. That is the normal cut and thrust that goes on. On the legislation, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy...

Social Partnership. (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Let me be very clear about this. The national minimum wage is a statutory one which is fixed in a process in the Labour Court and which takes account of this country's unique partnership arrangement. It has been the case since the Labour Act 1946 that employers, the Government, as an employer, and the unions adhere to that. It is the law and it is illegal for anyone to breach that. There...

Social Partnership. (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister informs me that the National Employment Rights Authority is examining this issue. That body exists on an interim basis and it will have statutory effect with the enactment of the employment law compliance Bill. The issue is about jurisdiction and that matter is being examined. We do not have the information on what the company is paying its staff, but the issue is still about...

Social Partnership. (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I will take the Deputy's questions in reverse order. We should all be proud of the fact that we have a very good national minimum wage in this county. We should be even more proud that this is the only country in the OECD to have a minimum wage that is high and keeps a large proportion of the workforce out of the tax net. No consideration whatever is being given to reducing the minimum...

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Nowhere did I say all is rosy in the garden and there are no problems.

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: We should be realistic. Deputy Kenny knows or will at least be aware that since 12 August there has been a financial market crisis throughout the entire world. That has had a knock-on effect into the last quarter in a very severe way on practically every economy of OECD countries — effectively the whole world. From a very strong position in the middle of the year, there have been ripple...

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Sorry, a Cheann Comhairle. Productivity equals jobs which equal investment. That is why we must make sure we maintain and sustain a level of productivity that allows us to hold what we have in this difficult period and be able to move again as the cycle improves.

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I have been doing that successfully for the past ten years and will continue to do so.

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: This economy, carefully handled by Governments I have led, will continue to drive employment.

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy misunderstands the effect of the sub-prime issue so there is no point in my going back into all of that area.