Results 23,701-23,720 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney
- Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: Deputy Rabbitte is making very serious allegations about my integrity and I would like him to withdraw them.
- Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: I do not know what he is suggesting. He suggests that I closed down the inquiry because it would reveal some information that I did not like. Deputy Rabbitte had better withdraw that. I have acted properly throughout my career in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the issue of bringing that inquiry to an end arose at the start of last year, not a couple of weeks before I...
- Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: He had better have his facts right.
- Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: I am no more of a saint than Deputy Rabbitte. No one made representations to me, either inside or outside the Cabinet. Any information that cameââ
- Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: I asked the authorised officer on a number of occasions to bring the inquiry to an end.
- Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: I never envisaged that the inquiries would have gone on for so long. Any information I received that had any relevance to any tribunal of inquiry was given to those tribunals of inquiry at that time.
- Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: It was given to both the Moriarty tribunal and to the Flood tribunal.
- Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: Some of the information related to individuals that were being investigated by those tribunals or fell within the remit and the terms of reference of those tribunals. In regard to where the report is now, the Deputy will have to ask the current Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I do not know where it is now. It was not concluded when I left the Department at the end of September.
- Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: No, he did not agree with me. He wanted to continue.
- Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: I am aware of the report. The methodology of that report has been questioned. Given that the report takes the baseline of 60% of the median earnings, it is inevitable that we would see statistics of that kind. I acknowledge that there are too many people in Ireland living in poverty, if the Deputy wants to use that phrase, but there are much fewer people living in poverty now than there were...
- Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: The Government has taken the view for some time that targeting resources through child benefit to families with children is more effective than child dependant allowances which, as the Deputy is aware, mitigate against those in employment. The Government is committed to continuing to invest heavily in welfare and, in particular, to ensuring that welfare payments are focused on those in...
- Order of Business. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: It is proposed to take No. 15, Disability Bill 2004 â Second Stage, resumed, and No. 1, Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad] â Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 40, motion re Ireland's agri-food sector.
- Order of Business. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: In reply to the latter question, the Government has not yet made a decision on a Dublin metro. With regard to the press council, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform told the Cabinet today that he will bring forward proposals shortly. He will have a number of meetings in the next few days on this issue.
- Order of Business. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: I do not have a date for its introduction. I will make inquiries and have somebody contact the Deputy.
- Order of Business. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: The Deputy can discuss a debate on Aer Lingus with the Whips. Mr. Sharman today became executive chairman of Aer Lingus in view of the vacancy that existed. The coastal zone management Bill will be incorporated in a marine services Bill but I do not have a date for the Bill.
- Order of Business. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: The broadcasting Bill will be ready later this year. The same applies to the energy Bill and the electronic communications Bill.
- Order of Business. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: The electoral amendment Bill will be taken in this session. The Government has not yet made a decision about when the referendum on the European constitution will be held.
- Order of Business. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: I accept the Deputy's comments. Work is under way on preparing the legislation but I do not know when it will be ready. We have not yet decided on the date for the referendum. I agree a long lead-in time will be necessary to ensure there is no unnecessary confusion and misunderstanding.
- Order of Business. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has done a great deal of work on this legislation and the Government approved the heads of the Bill before Christmas. The Bill will be brought forward as quickly as possible.
- Order of Business. (1 Feb 2005)
Mary Harney: If they are to participate, legislation will be necessary to facilitate training. That matter is being considered at present.