Results 23,101-23,120 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Motion. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: Yes. Is the Deputy referring to the nursing home subvention? Nobody could expect us to pay for every private bed in a private nursing home environment. I assure the Deputy this would cause financial disequilibrium.

Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Motion. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: I accept that.

Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Motion. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: I am aware of that and it is on that issue that the advice has been sought.

Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Motion. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: As I said in my remarks, Ministers are accountable through the Oireachtas for their Departments and they must accept this accountability. Secretaries General are accountable to the Committee of Public Accounts for their Department's Vote. There are, therefore, clear lines of accountability. I will ask the Department to make available the briefing notes received by the three Ministers. I have...

Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Motion. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: This debate is about the Travers report, and the Travers report is about performance and accountability. Every person who draws a salary paid by taxpayers has a responsibility to the public.

Report on Long-Stay Care Charges: Motion. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: They are the boss. We have a sophisticated system of democratic Government and accountability. Sometimes it is cumbersome, sometimes it is very procedural but it is democratic and fair. Ultimately, no one can be exempt from answering for the level of responsibilities they are given, or have sought, in public service. I believe in political accountability and I am prepared to accept political...

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: When I heard Deputy Ó Caoláin criticise the Taoiseach's absence, I was going to make the point Deputy Kenny made that his party did not attend the Whips' meeting yesterday when arrangements were being made to discuss the Travers report. I commend the parties who attended, reached an agreement and honoured that in the House this morning. It is much more sincere than being absent, then...

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: Deputies will be aware that for many years it has been the tradition that many Ministers, Ministers of State and the Taoiseach visit the Irish diaspora, as the former President, Mary Robinson, referred to them, and attend various events where Irish people are proud to celebrate our national holiday. It is true that I am not travelling. I would be gone by now if I were travelling to San...

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: A Supplementary Estimate will be necessary later this year; we have already made that clear. I do not know about an all-party committee but the Cabinet sub-committee, made up of the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance, the Attorney General and myself, has reflected on whether there are other areas of Government where regulations may not be on a sound footing. In December, I asked the...

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: I do not believe legislation is required, as I said earlier. That is my view and nobody has drawn to my attention any area where legislation would be required.

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: There are two areas of responsibility. Of course Ministers are responsible to this House, as they hold constitutional office. Secretary Generals are accounting officers and they are accountable for public moneys. There are different areas of accountability in this whole matter and they are clear. There is no doubt about that. I am quite certain we will deal with these issues when we return to...

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: Substantial work is under way in that area and I hope to have the heads of the legislation with the Government later this year. I share the Deputy's concern about many Irish graduates who could not get places in pharmacy schools here and had to go abroad. They are not in a position to own their own pharmacy and the position is unsatisfactory.

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: The work permits Bill will be published shortly and is the responsibility of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The other matter raised by the Deputy has been routinely done over many years in the proper fora. Ministers are not going abroad to party, they are going abroad to work.

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: If the Deputy thinks it is a party, he does not know the meaning of the word.

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: It is not possible to say at this stage.

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: It will be introduced this session.

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: I apologise, I will have somebody contact the Deputy.

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: In case there is any misunderstanding I will be going to Ljubliana and Sarajevo next week for two or three days and the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, is going to San Francisco this morning. The only diving I will be doing between now and Easter is diving into the Travers report and all its implications and implementing its excellent recommendations.

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: Notwithstanding the Deputy's invitation——

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Mary Harney: It will be open as soon as possible.