Results 7,601-7,620 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The group includes representatives of Departments and offices, Civil Service trade unions, other social partners and customer organisations, the Consumers Association of Ireland, the Small Firms Association, the National Disability Authority, the Disability Federation, the IPA, the Equality Authority, the consultative committee on racism and inter-culturalism, the Northern Ireland Civil...

Strategic Management Initiative. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know, but there are many Department officials there, men and women.

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 6, inclusive, together. The information sought by the Deputy concerning the names of the persons appointed by me since June 2002 to State boards and agencies under my Department's aegis, namely the National Statistics Board, the Law Reform Commission, the National Centre for Partnership and Performance, the National Economic and Social Council and the...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In fairness to Deputy Kenny, my reply will not help him on his last question. The person concerned is engaged in one area as far as I know. I am not sure if he is in receipt of payment but I presume he is. However, he is off all the boards with which my Department is involved or that are connected with social partnership. On Deputy Kenny's first question, I readily admit that we do not serve...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte knows how they go up and down. On State boards, the answer is "Yes". In all the names that come before Government, we endeavour to ensure we keep to the percentage. It is not always maintained by Departments and certainly not by the organisations that have nominating rights to boards. It is an ongoing difficulty which does not only concern social partners but many...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Does the Deputy mean forever more?

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will think about that. I do not believe the House — and I have sat on this side and on the opposite side——

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have been on the opposite side for many periods.

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not believe the House serves itself well by making appointments in the interregnum. I have argued that point on the opposite side of the House and in Government, but I have not always won the argument. The situation following an election is different. I will not go into the argument. I could argue that Members on both sides have done this. I am not sure if I am guilty of having done it,...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I might have some influence if it arises again. I would not like to start a practice, as has happened on many occasions in the past, only for it to be ignored by others on taking office. I always make a virtue of initiating such practices and then others turn around and do the complete opposite and one is left looking silly. Unless there was real agreement on this proposal, I would not be...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If it ever arises, I might show a good example.

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not believe we did it on the last occasion. I probably have the best record on this.

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I answered Deputy Kenny's earlier question on this. There may be cases where it is essential that this is done, but generally filling all appointments in the interregnum — Deputy Kenny was honourable in admitting it has happened on all sides of the House — is not good practice. It does not look good to the members of the public. Anything that affects the House negatively in terms of how...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In the dim, distant future.

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: For once I can agree with Deputy Ó Caoláin. On the last occasion I appointed a Government nominee from Northern Ireland to the board of NESF, Eithne McLaughlin, from Queens University. I am open to making similar appointments to other boards where there are suitable candidates. There is a benefit in having an all Ireland representation, in regard to the implementation bodies and other...

Appointments to State Boards. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On that board there are only five members, one of whom is from Northern Ireland. Where there is expertise and where good people from Northern Ireland are prepared to serve on a board, I have no difficulty with that. It is an area I will look at as vacancies arise.

Code of Conduct. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together. The code of conduct for office holders as drawn up by the Government following extensive consultations with the Standards in Public Office Commission has applied since 3 July 2003. I have no plans to amend it.

Code of Conduct. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As the Deputy knows it would be difficult to police. If one were caught holding anything in one's hand one could be accused of promoting the brand. Somebody doing an opening could be asked to be photographed with something. I do not believe it is outside the code of conduct unless a Minister or Minister of State is seen to be pressing or lobbying for consumer ends.

Code of Conduct. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: To be photographed at some stand or exhibition would be an impossible issue to hold against a Minister.

Code of Conduct. (25 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The code is set down. I have no plans to amend the code as it is only two years in operation. If the Standards in Public Office Commission were to make any points about amendments, obviously in due course we would need to look at that. It is a short period. I am not aware of the issue Deputies Kenny and Sargent have raised. It would be quite hard to police a situation where a Minister or a...