Results 7,581-7,600 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (26 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The advice I have received is that we would not be able to legislate on flagships, as it would be contrary to matters that are set out in Bunreacht na hÉireann.

Leaders' Questions. (26 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to Deputy Rabbitte, I will look at the Labour Party Bill and I will continue to engage with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on the legal advice. It asked me to share the legal advice and I stated I would.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The procurement of consultancy services in my Department is subject to public procurement guidelines from the Department of Finance as set out in the document, Guidelines for engagement of Consultants in the Civil Service — 1999. Procurement of outside expertise in the public relations field is also subject to public procurement guidelines as set out in the 2004 Department of Finance...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There have been no cases of reports, consultancies or cases from external commissions in this period where the issue of poor value for money has been highlighted in my Department.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As part of its commitment to the principles of quality customer service, my Department has always sought to ensure that customers who wish to conduct their business through Irish can do so. Expenditure on providing such services, therefore, cannot be considered as arising exclusively from the provisions of the Official Languages Act, as they also arise from our existing commitments to our...

Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Which legislation?

Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) Bill was published on 1 July last and it was ordered for Second Stage on 27 October, which is Thursday.

Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As I understand it, the Bill being prepared is the roads (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, which is to amend the legislation relating to the National Roads Authority and traffic. The heads of that Bill are expected to be ready prior to Christmas. Two Road Traffic Acts have been enacted and both have been amended. Some amendments are being made to the Driver Testing and Standards Authority...

Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister confirms that I was right in what I said. He is looking at amendments to the Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill but he has not brought those forward.

Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Garda inquiry in Killybegs is ongoing.

Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The defamation Bill will include provision for a press council. The second Bill the Deputy raised will brought to Cabinet before Christmas and money will be provided in the Estimates for 2006 to pay the money owed.

Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: No, not yet, but I reminded the Departments that the Deputy is constantly asking about it and that I am constantly telling him it is almost ready.

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The quality customer service working group was established in 1999 to oversee the development of the quality customer service initiative. This initiative has been, and remains, an important and proactive element of the modernisation programme for the Civil Service. The working group, which reports to the implementation group of...

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I had it even before I got there.

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As Deputy Kenny said, two reports were undertaken, the last one in 2002. The next one is due before the end of this year. The Department has already tendered for a company to undertake the report. The aim is to target the questionnaire at those who use the Department, both individuals and outside agencies. The findings of the previous report regarding services were subsequently implemented. A...

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the e-Cabinet project, there was an initial budget of €5 million, which was an estimate based on the other work done in the Department. Obviously, it included the consultancy work on the design and framework of the project, which was required to set it up. The project is being rolled out and the early elements of the plan, which amount to a quite significant number, have been completed....

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will answer a question later about the number and grades of officials involved in decentralisation. Decentralisation will not create difficulties for customer service standards. Various working groups have considered how to deal with this issue and have done some excellent work on it. There is plenty of experience to work with because decentralisation has been a successful practice in the...

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If the Deputy puts down a detailed question I will give a detailed reply. I do not have the information here.

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Significant progress has been achieved. I was outlining some of the many other areas in which there is work to do. We are getting into the next round of benchmarking and, as I have stated inside and outside the House, there has been a demand that the next round should be transparent and we should endeavour to achieve further reforms in the public service through that process. All Departments,...

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I hope the present difficulties regarding the social contract can be resolved. I understand the Irish Congress of Trade Unions at its meeting today is seeking clarification following the letter I gave to its representatives after the meeting last Thursday night. I am open to engagement on that issue. Clearly I cannot resolve the issues prior to negotiations but will attempt to do so following...