Results 381-400 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I can look at this again between now and Report Stage but I reiterate we considered this issue. As far as we on this side of the House are concerned, we do not flip-flop and we listen to arguments.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We do not flip-flop within a short timescale.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: On the basis that-----

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Perhaps, upon mature reflection.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Our premise is that "opinion" includes suspicion, actual knowledge or a belief. I would not suggest what is being suggested, namely, that in some way the use of the word "opinion" suggests the person in question must be absolutely certain about the issue he or she is reporting. I do not accept that at all. It is up to the authorities-----

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: No, there is a suggestion that in some way-----

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: -----there is a greater onus on the person because of the use of the word "opinion" rather than "suspicion". That leaves aside the fact that as far as we on this side of the House are concerned, the word "opinion" includes "suspicion". I will look at this again and consider whether it is possible to define "opinion". I do not believe one can but we will ask the Office of the Attorney...

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I take the debate seriously.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I did not know that.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I did not know that.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Now that peace has reigned, as I indicated I had no problem going into next week, I would not want any of that to suggest we may come back with an agreement on the amendment because, as I said, we considered this previously. We will consider it again and ask that the opinions, rather than the suspicions, of the other side of the House be taken into account.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am minded to accept the amendments, although some of the documents before me would suggest they are not necessary. As I said, opinion encompasses belief and suspicion; it does not connote certainty. Therefore, there is no need to change "may" to "may have been or may be being". The whistleblower is not required to prove that corruption has been or is being committed. He or she is not...

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As I have accepted the amendments, for logistical reasons we would have to have Report Stage today.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed). (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We will have to deal with them all today due to logistical reasons in regard to bringing the Bill back into the Dáil.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: At the Law Society annual dinner in July I announced that I had asked my officials to move on codification of the law on corruption. I repeated this announcement on Second Stage last week or the week before. The Bill was in gestation at the time and well advanced. The sooner it is completed the better. My officials will begin a complete codification of the law on corruption.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Dermot Ahern: To be brief, it does.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (30 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner that the average processing time for the type of applications referred to in the question, is 9 -10 weeks from the date of application. The Refugee Appeals Tribunal has informed my Department that such applications are processed in the normal way and that the Tribunal is not aware of any delays arising in relation to the...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting of Personnel: Garda Vetting of Personnel (30 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a vetting application was received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers. A response to the application was returned to the registered organisation involved on 8 October 2010.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (30 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in June 2009. The application is currently being processed in the normal way with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (30 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to inform the Deputy that detailed information on energy use by my Department is not maintained in a manner that can be extracted without a disproportionate and unwarranted use of resources. It also is not possible to accurately quantify energy costs for all buildings occupied by my Department and its agencies as energy costs cannot always be differentiated from other maintenance costs...