Results 1,521-1,540 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the development co-operation directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, currently based in Dublin, is scheduled to decentralise to Limerick in the first quarter of 2007. There are 123 posts attached to the directorate at headquarters, of which 24 are specialist posts, with three of these being designated as principal development...

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There has been some media comment about the issue of the DCD transferring or decentralising to Limerick. Unfortunately, the references in the media are incorrect. The number of people wishing to decentralise is much higher than was reported. Some 46 people from within the Department——

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: From within the Department.

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Yes, from within the Department, but——

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Many people within the Department have served abroad on overseas development aid issues. Out of 123 posts to be decentralised, however, 28 so far in the directorate, including that of the director general himself, are being filled by people who wish to decentralise. A further 18 officers serving elsewhere in the Department, mostly abroad on aid missions, have also expressed an interest in...

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: That is typical of the Deputy's party.

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: He says one thing up here, but when he goes back home to Cork, he says something different.

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: At a recent conference in Dublin——

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I just want to illustrate——

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: ——the whole concept of——

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Yes, there is a property.

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: It will be leased.

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Yes. They are in negotiations with the people involved.

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We now have an identifiable property.

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Now that we have the property, many more people will be willing to relocate to Limerick. The concept of DCI or the DCD going to Limerick is important. At a conference in Dublin some months ago, Mr. Richard Manning, who was the chair of the development assistance committee of the OECD, was asked this very question as to his attitude to the proposal to decentralise to Limerick. His reply was...

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: He thought that we needed to distinguish the very real problems and need for flexibility in the short term from the ability of any country to set up a world-class office anywhere at once these days.

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am delivering the truth.

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: No, the Deputy is wrong. I am not aware of whether the money has been transferred, but it has identified, and to all intents and purposes acquired, a property.

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I recall the famous case of Knock Airport, completely opposed by Deputy Allen's party, which said that it was on top of a boggy mountain. Today it is a great success, and they must answer to the people of Knock in that regard.

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I believe that no one is indispensable, and it is possible to run an organisation——