Results 1,961-1,980 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Decentralisation Programme. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There is no payment system in place and any questions arising on that issue will be discussed with the trade unions. There is no scheme at present and I do not envisage one being set up. I do not have the figure for transfer applications for February, but if Deputy Sargent maintains that it is 45, the explanation is that there are always a number of people in any Department who are moving...

Decentralisation Programme. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: At the outset there was a Cabinet sub-committee dealing with the issues, composed mainly of personnel from the Department of Finance and the Office of Public Works as well as a number of other relevant Departments. Since the decentralisation implementation group was set up under the chairmanship of Mr. Finbarr Flood, it has been co-ordinating the project and dealing with various Ministers....

Air Services. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 8, inclusive, together. The Cabinet sub-committee on Aer Lingus last met on 9 December 2004 and there are no arrangements for it to meet again.

Air Services. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Regarding the first question, all the matters after that were dealt with by the full Cabinet. The Minister for Transport made it clear to the House last week that he and the Minister for Finance will move quickly to appoint advisers and deal with the issues. This was dealt with at the Cabinet. There is no need for the sub-committee. It had a job to do and it dealt with it. The matter has...

Air Services. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It was made by the Cabinet as part of the overall decision of two weeks ago.

Air Services. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will respond briefly. The Minister for Finance has moved to appoint advisers to advise on the size, type and timing of the sale. The decision on the process will be based on the advice that is given. Other than our statement that we will hold 25%, how we proceed will be based on the outside advisers' recommendation. The timing for proceeding will be decided in conjunction with the board.

Air Services. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy must understand that a Cabinet committee is sometimes established to deal with a particular aspect of a decision. In this case, it dealt with a Goldman Sachs' report and related issues. As soon as that issue was dealt with, the committee ended. The Cabinet dealt with everything else. When the report comes back from the Departments of Finance and Transport, it will be dealt with at...

Air Services. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The work of the Cabinet sub-committee took three or four weeks. The sub-committee is not in existence, and will not be unless we need to revive it for some other purpose. The full Cabinet is dealing with all of the issues.

Air Services. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The full Cabinet will make the decision.

Air Services. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There are no arrangements for it to meet again and all issues related to this matter are now being dealt with by the full Cabinet.

National Economic and Social Council. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 13, inclusive, together. The National Economic and Social Council has completed its study entitled A Developmental Welfare State, which was published on 19 May. The council completed its report, Housing in Ireland: Performance and Policy, in December 2004 and will complete a report on the Lisbon Agenda in the coming months, focusing on the open method of...

National Economic and Social Council. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The council will complete the report on the Lisbon strategy and the open method of co-ordination over the next number of months. It is undertaking its three-yearly strategic overview of the Irish economy and social policy, which is a large report and is used as the basis for negotiations on the three-year programmes. I do not have dates for the other reports. The council is working on...

National Economic and Social Council. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The process is that when it is passed by the NESC it is cleared by the Government. In the case of most reports there would be a discussion at that stage by Government. They would then go to the relevant Department or Departments. Taxation reports would go to the Department of Finance and education reports to the Department of Education and Science. The reports on the broad economy and social...

National Economic and Social Council. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not agree it is unequal. There are countries in Europe that are high contributors to the social welfare system. If we look at the charts and compare what we pay and what we fund, we would be termed a high contributor but not high in terms of the taxation level. It is correct that means tests apply to many issues. I cannot comment on the detail of the other point, although I attended the...

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The programme last night uncovered shocking treatment of vulnerable people in the units investigated. No excuse should be offered to defend what happened, as there is no defence for it. It was distressing and upsetting. There was a lack of training, management, supervision and almost everything else in that elderly care unit. On behalf of the Government, I express deep concern with the...

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy has again asked me to condemn unequivocally what we saw on the programme last night. No excuse can or should be offered for standing over facilities such as that. When one is independently inspecting something, it is bizarre to give warning by ringing ahead. If someone is knowingly or unintentionally acting in such a way in any home, not just Leas Cross, giving notice means what...

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Hopefully, that will be done.

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know what Deputy Seán Ryan is talking about.

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The patients moving from acute beds are not going to that location. Many people do not wish to be moved. If they did want to, they would be. Following meetings held today, the HSE has agreed that a nurse manager supported by other nursing staff will go to Leas Cross immediately and that a governors board will be established, composed of a geriatrician, a GP and relatives. An inquiry team will...

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte asked a number of questions. I will confirm what I told Deputy Kenny earlier, that no beds from the present lot of beds purchased from the private sector were in Leas Cross nursing home. As previously planned, the social services inspectorate will be established on a statutory basis and be independent of the HSE. The Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 will be reviewed urgently....