Results 4,501-4,520 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: However, they do not have the required structure to do the job adequately. I see no reason for setting up an alternative structure when the existing departmental and Civil Service structure is available.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: At present we have allocated some staff and are using ADM to process the applications. The other issues of accountability, governance and financial control will arise afterwards. They will be problems down the line when the money begins to be spent. Some money has been allocated. If we were to do all this under one body we would be creating another monster. That can be done, but at a cost. It...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: ——or do we want to get the money to where it is required? It will help people who are disadvantaged and those with disabilities. That is the fundamental issue.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I am confident.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Legislation will be introduced in the coming months and I am confident that when people in this House have an opportunity to consider it in detail they will feel differently. I understand there is some political play-acting.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: When people study the legislation they will be confident that what we are doing is in the best interests of——

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: ——the fund and of the people who will benefit from the fund. We should keep our minds on that. I commend the amendment to the House.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: It is the same.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: While the expenditure rules are different, the rules on donations are the same.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: It is recorded, open, transparent and visible.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The constituencies for Deputies are of equal size, whereas a person standing in a local election in Dublin could require a quota of 3,000, while a candidate could be elected to a town council with 100 votes.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: May I go beyond five minutes?

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I thank Deputies for their contributions on the Third Interim Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments. I repeat that the Government has always fully co-operated with the workings of the tribunal and has acted to ensure that it is thoroughly and comprehensively resourced to do its work. Deputies will agree that it is in everybody's interest that all the...

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: It is proceeding through the Houses.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The tribunal has cost €31 million to date and is staffed by an extensive legal team and a 48 strong administrative staff. This report shows that the tribunal is more than capable of doing an effective job of uncovering acts of corruption. To date, the legal fees of the legal team amount to €17.5 million. Other legal fees to non-tribunal counsel amount to just over €1 million and...

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I agree with Deputy Allen that we should find out who did it. The information should be released by the tribunal and people can then judge it.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: Deputy Allen suggested that the wrongdoers should be exposed and punished, and I agree with him. Deputy Seán Ryan and I were members of Dublin County Council. In my 16 or 17 years on Dublin City Council there was never any suggestion of that. The Deputy was there. I never received a cheque from a developer either. However, in a flippant way, the Deputy used to receive little cheques from a...

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: The Deputy asked questions about a current matter in Donabate and mentioned 84 acres and 200 acres——

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: I do not have the current information on the matter. I am not too knowledgeable on that matter. I welcome the comments made by the Members. I agree with the other speakers that many wrong things happened and that is being put right. Much has happened with regard to the rules for public representatives. Some speakers made good points about the issue of planners or managers retiring or changing...

Tribunals of Inquiry: Statements. (20 Feb 2004)

Noel Ahern: In reply to Deputy Burton, that is one way of dealing with it but there is no point in having a tribunal and allowing those who received money to keep it. The action is being taken by CAB.