Results 7,841-7,860 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (12 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: That is a good way of proceeding. One does not need another consultancy firm to do this. On Deputy Rabbitte's last point about what will happen next, the Comptroller and Auditor General is preparing his report and the HSE decided last week to have a comprehensive review at its meeting on 2 December. When the Government receives that report it will decide what else it should do. We should wait...

Leaders' Questions. (12 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have answered that already and will repeat my replies. I have already said to Deputy Rabbitte that the judgment can be made only when we have a full report on what precisely happened between 2001 and 2005 regarding the HSE contract. I cannot make a judgment on that now; it would be unwise to do so.

Leaders' Questions. (12 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I presume I will be unable to convince Deputy Rabbitte one way or the other, but yesterday he said we were introducing a system of consultant upon consultant. Today I explained that is not what is envisaged. Rather, we use people with expertise, although Deputy Rabbitte uses the term "favoured businessperson". Were he not trying to argue a political point, the Deputy would see that the...

Leaders' Questions. (12 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We have been trying for many years, in most areas, successfully, to have proper guidelines in place that are operated carefully and that Accounting Officers, Ministers and officials try to implement. At times, such as when the roll-out of Revenue was carried out, when the payment system for Revenue was changed, and when agricultural issues such as payments to farmers were addressed, it was...

Leaders' Questions. (12 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte asked if there were other contracts. Obviously, I mentioned that question would be examined in the review. Regarding taking action against Deloitte & Touche or anyone else, we must base our decision on the report's findings and whether they simply continued based on the contract they were given, which was too open-ended. We have closed down such business in the infrastructural...

Leaders' Questions. (12 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Many others are actively involved in projects. They are doing a good job, and we should not try to tar everyone as having made a mess of things, since that is not correct.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am very pleased to have this opportunity to address Seanad Éireann following some very significant developments in the peace process. On 28 July, when the IRA announced an end to its armed campaign, I said that its words must be borne out by actions and on 26 September, we saw verified actions when General John de Chastelain announced the completion of IRA decommissioning. Finally, the IRA...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I would like on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party and on my own behalf to extend my deepest sympathy to Deputy Kenny and the Fine Gael Party on the death of Liam Burke. Like Deputy Kenny, I am delighted members of his family, his wife, Noreen and his sisters, Mary and Kitty, are here and I also extend our sympathies to his daughters, Emma and Catherine. I was lucky to know Liam very well and I...

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 22, Social Welfare Consolidation Bill — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to adjourn after two hours, if not previously concluded; No. 1, Interpretation Bill 2000 — Amendments from the Seanad; and No. 21, Railway Safety Bill 2001 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages. Private Members' Business shall be No. 48, motion re Report of the Comptroller...

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not think so. I assume it is covered by the Health Act 2004.

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Right across the system there has been an enormous number of changes in how contracts are procured and how work is done. On legislation, there is the infrastructural Bill, which will speed up some of the issues. As far as the accountability and control of public expenditure is concerned, in the past few years there have been significant changes in addition to the recommendations made by the...

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If the Deputy has information on an individual Bill on which there is an EU decision and tables a question to the relevant Minister, the Minister will answer detailing what is happening on it.

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If Deputy Sargent gives me information on the legislation, I will try to give it.

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Then the Deputy should table a question to the relevant Minister.

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Consultations are taking place between the Department and the relevant stakeholders. I do not have a date for it, but I understand they are endeavouring to secure as much agreement as possible on every aspect to improve the Bill.

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The reason for that is the Minister has successfully organised a voluntary scheme where we are now getting agreements with the industry on alcohol advertising and Department wishes to hold off the introduction of legislation pending the outcome of these voluntary agreements. For the first time ever, there is an active campaign by the drinks industry to promote sensible drinking habits and...

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is paying for the advertisements.

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Bill have been approved and the legislation is due to be published in the middle of next year.

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the animal health Bill, which is to consolidate and update the Diseases of Animals Acts, were approved a considerable time ago. The Bill has gone for drafting but we do not have a date for it. I have no information on the second issue.

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Next year.