Results 1,261-1,280 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Strategic Management Initiative. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together. The strategic management initiative was launched more than ten years ago with the objective of improving the quality and efficiency of service to the Government and the public. While it has evolved over time, the main focus has been on the areas of strategic management, customer service, financial management, human resource management,...

Strategic Management Initiative. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the first issue, the Public Service Management Act is in place. Obviously it is up to Minister's direct staff and wider staff to keep abreast of issues that are discussed, and normally that happens in an effective manner. On the improvements that have taken place in the Department since the introduction of the modernisation programme, I have answered this question on a number of occasions....

Strategic Management Initiative. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Exactly.

Strategic Management Initiative. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I was answering a question asking if the initiative has made major improvements in the modernisation of the public service, staff flexibility and output of Departments. That is not to take away from the fact that some Departments work under enormous pressures on day-to-day issues. In fairness, one of the issues Deputy Rabbitte mentioned, the Travers report, which I read in detail last night,...

Strategic Management Initiative. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Perhaps I can make a brief reply on the specific question and then I shall answer the more general question. I had no discussion with the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley. However, the then Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Callely, said in the correspondence on that occasion that two issues arose, one being the...

Strategic Management Initiative. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The then Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Callely, was asked if he followed-on and if he raised it with the Minister. I will let the Minister answer that. In relation to me, he said that there was a major issue related to the distinction between eligibility and entitlement and that his Department was going to seek definitive legal advice. As the Deputy is...

Strategic Management Initiative. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As people will see when they read the report, from 1976 to the time Deputy Kenny raised this issue — I acknowledge this because I was involved in the discussions in the autumn — even though this matter was raised on so many occasions over 28 years, there was never a memorandum on the issues. This is extraordinary but it is a fact, and I am not blaming or dumping on anyone. I think the...

Strategic Management Initiative. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not want it said that I did not answer the question. The former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, has a different view on that. I know he will come into the House tomorrow for the debate to give his view on that matter.

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. a9, motion re report on certain issues of management and administration in the Department of Health and Children associated with the practice of charges for persons in long-stay care in health board institutions and related matters; No. 9a, Finance Bill 2005 — Financial Resolution; No. 17, Finance Bill 2005 — Order for Report and Report and Final Stages; No. 16,...

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will answer the questions raised by the Deputies. No. a9 is a necessary procedural motion to allow the report go to the committee. It is the advice——

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: For obvious reasons this matter has been examined very carefully. The advice was that it required a motion in the House so that the committee could publish the report. The Tánaiste briefed the members of the committee.

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The motion must still be passed on the day the report is published and that is the legal advice.

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: That is all it is even if people are trying to make something more of it. The debate will be held tomorrow. The form of that debate has been agreed. There will be statements on the report tomorrow, and perhaps when Members have studied the report there could be a further discussion in a fortnight's time. Rather than breaking up for a week, the House should have statements tomorrow. The House...

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I said there will be statements tomorrow.

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I was asked two questions. No. a9 is a motion to ensure that the report is properly presented to the Members and to the committee. I understand there will be a later meeting of the committee with the Tánaiste today. There will be a debate tomorrow which can either start tomorrow and continue later or else there will be statements and the House can return to the matter when Members have...

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will respond to the remarks made by Deputy Kenny at the outset of the debate. The advice of the Attorney General this morning was that procedurally the Tánaiste could attend the committee meeting and that it was in order for her to give an oral briefing and then put the report before the House even before we passed a motion, but we should make sure there was privilege, that the motion...

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Government only met yesterday morning to discuss the report.

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If the Deputy wants to be an Abbey actress——

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: That is the reason. I am trying to be helpful.

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There was a lot of doubt. Second, I was asked yesterday by Deputy Rabbitte if we would have a debate on this on Thursday and the answer is "yes". The Whips can work out the detail. I have also said today——