Results 12,341-12,360 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (9 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The number of staff in my Department and in the Offices of my Department who have signed up for the cycle to work scheme is 28. While the scheme is cost neutral to my Department, the total paid to date amounts to €20,988.79. I have no information about the take up of the scheme in the State Agencies that come under the aegis of my Department as that is a day to day administrative matter...

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is proposed to take No.13, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of an agreement between Ireland and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on participation in the multilateral carbon credit fund, back from committee; No.22, Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 1, Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad] -...

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: This is an informal Council which will follow the normal procedures of an informal Council. There is no change in procedure. As we all know, we have a greater opportunity at informal Councils to have political conversations on issues. I assure Members that the normal format of an informal Council is proceeding. It would not be opportune today to discuss what is on the agenda of the...

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: If the Deputy wants to act like a spoiled child, that is fine. I do not believe the eloquence of this House will add much to what will be discussed at the Council meeting, because it has not even started. I indicated that in normal circumstances we do not have statements after an informal Council meeting. We are now in a post-Lisbon situation and in that context I gave an undertaking that...

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The question on the Central Bank Bill was answered yesterday in the House. The heads of the Central Bank Bill were agreed by Cabinet on Tuesday and drafting of the Bill is proceeding. It is proposed the Bill will be available before Easter. The company law consolidation and reform Bill is a huge piece of legislation and I will not be in a position to bring it to the House before Easter....

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: I am surprised that the Deputy reads the Irish Daily Mail. I would not have thought it was one of the newspapers on his list in the morning.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Although well outside the remit of the Order of Business, I would like to answer a number of the points. On the issue of Halifax, the Taoiseach indicated that we were officially notified. A letter was handed in to my Department officially, indicating that under the collective redundancy side of the Redundancy Payments Act a decision was made by Bank of Scotland that it was letting go 750...

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: -----on the basis that corporate governance issues have been addressed in the context of a considerable amount of work that has been done by the director general and the temporary director general, as well as the previous board. All of these issues have been dealt with. The Committee of Public Accounts is continuing its deliberations on this matter. The board met for the first time...

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: For the Deputy's benefit, I appointed all of the members of the board.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: Many people - some 270 - applied for consideration. Several people who applied for consideration have also been appointed. It is important to say-----

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: If Deputy Shatter has any interest, I would be more than happy to answer a Parliamentary Question on that.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is important to say that the chairman and the board are working to ensure that FÁS finds itself in the position in which it should be-----

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: -----which is to have a reputation as the best State training facility in this country.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy worked very closely with FÁS in his own day-to-day business and he knows of the calibre, in particular, of the people in the front line. It is not a slur on those people either. On the issue of the medical cards, this was answered yesterday.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: There are difficulties, as the Minister indicated. I am sure the Deputy will raise these issues in the context of her deliberations within the committee. It is clearly the intention of the HSE that the way in which the services will be delivered will be in the most efficient and effective way, on the basis that we have very scarce resources and it is a way in which we can reduce costs and...

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: On the final issue that was raised in regard to senior management grades, the Minister has not made any determination on that matter. As a final comment and to agree with the Deputy, I was here in 1990 when Nelson Mandela came to the House. There are many celebrations, as we know, and the calibre of the man and what he brought to his people in South Africa is certainly worth celebrating and...

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: It is not appropriate to speak on the floor of the House about discussions that took between the Department of Finance, Financial Regulator and the bank.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: The situation was worked through by the Department in the context of-----

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: -----the difficulties the bank had in this country-----

Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Mary Coughlan: -----and on the basis of the restructuring that is taking place in the banking sector worldwide. On the issue of mortgage holders-----