Results 22,941-22,960 of 26,624 for speaker:John McGuinness
- Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: Is that agreed? Agreed. To reflect on the matters raised with the Minister and on Tuesday's meeting I had a discussion with both Accounting Officers after the meeting and I have raised the issue with the Whip. This morning we had an exchange with the Minister. I consider that the issues which caused the tension prior to the meeting have been resolved and we can continue our examination of...
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Agreement 2010-14: Discussion with Implementation Body (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: I thank Mr. Fitzpatrick for coming before the committee and giving of his time. I know he is under a time constraint as he must go to meet the Taoiseach. I have a different view of the Croke Park agreement but I sat here willing to be convinced about the whole process. I wondered why I had so many reservations about it. The pace of change and reform, which is critical to the survival of...
- Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: We will now deal with the housekeeping aspects of our business. Are the minutes of the meeting of 4 October agreed? Agreed. We will deal with the minutes from 9 October at our next meeting. On matters arising from the minutes, I note the correspondence received. Item 3A is correspondence from Accounting Officers. Correspondence dated 4 October 2012 is from Mr. Tom Boland, chief...
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Agreement 2010-14: Discussion with Implementation Body (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: Reality is the driver.
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Agreement 2010-14: Discussion with Implementation Body (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: Is this public expenditure?
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Agreement 2010-14: Discussion with Implementation Body (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: We can send a transcript of the meeting to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and ask officials to comment.
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Agreement 2010-14: Discussion with Implementation Body (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: Does Deputy Kieran O'Donnell wish to ask a question?
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Agreement 2010-14: Discussion with Implementation Body (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: The Deputy can indicate as he goes along.
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Agreement 2010-14: Discussion with Implementation Body (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: Before the Deputy begins, he should be aware that there is a time issue here because Mr. Fitzpatrick will be going to another meeting.
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Agreement 2010-14: Discussion with Implementation Body (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: I thank Mr. Fitzpatrick. While the implementation body is not accountable to the Committee of Public Accounts, the information it gives us is of great assistance to us as we do our work with the various Departments and agencies. I thank the delegates for attending.
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Agreement 2010-14: Discussion with Implementation Body (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: I welcome Mr. Fitzpatrick, the chairman of the implementation body. I invite him to make his opening statement.
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: The Minister might come to me in the future rather than the Government Whip. I am sure we can organise things between us.
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: In fact, the Minister or somebody else did go to him this week. However, we will leave it at that. I thank the Minister, the Minister of State and their officials for attending.
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: I made the same point, as did Deputy Fleming. Clarification is needed at local level.
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: How many people are coming in from the private sector to fill advertised management and senior management positions? Is there private sector interest?
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: Mr. Tony O'Brien stated that he was given his contract in one hand and a report in the other hand, which may not have restricted him but which told him what needed to be done. There are eight legacy issues from the different health boards and 58 others, as I have said. I presume there is a need for investment in their systems and a need to give someone like the new chief executive officer...
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: I am talking about the systems. I am not making any comment.
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: The Minister made a reference to Tuesday's meeting. I am taking the opportunity to assure the Minister in this regard because I cannot let the matter go and would not like to say it when he has left the room. Putting the opening incident to one side, the general tone of the meeting thereafter was one of complete engagement by both sides. I am sure the Minister has heard individual Deputies...
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: Let there be no misunderstanding. I am very interested in the public purse. The Department sent out a circular which I referred to in the parliamentary question I tabled. It excludes the consideration of the smaller supplier.
- Public Accounts Committee: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion (11 Oct 2012)
John McGuinness: Let me finish. The Minister of State can correct me if I am wrong but the contract stipulates a €10 million turnover. The small and medium-sized enterprises buy into it. I want to see value for the public purse. If the services can be purchased for better or equal to the best tender, then so be it. That saves the public purse and that is my view on it.