Results 7,881-7,900 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Social Partnership Agreement. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I would be concerned if people did that, either inside or outside the EU. If they are outside the EU, they cannot come in without permits. A small number come in from outside the EU, so there is no difficulty in that area. I recognise in broad terms and from looking at many companies the commercial realities and competitive pressures that will impact on employment here that are not...

Social Partnership Agreement. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: A process is there which allows anyone to present his or her case. It is considered within the existing structures.

Social Partnership Agreement. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have not blocked any of them. Some people come in, others leave. There is a structure between the organisations. I do not get involved with who is in or out of the fourth pillar. While working out the last social partnership agreement, about ten organisations left and about 15 came in. It was negotiated between the groups. I am not against that.

Social Partnership Agreement. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am uncertain as to what SIPTU want us to do on this issue. It is currently before the Labour Court and will come before the Labour Relations Commission within the next few days. The process by which we had asked it to be dealt with is being followed. This has been ongoing for a long time and there are frustrations at all levels. The company can make quite a good case in terms of how long it...

Social Partnership Agreement. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am unsure whether the Deputy heard what I have said on this idea of trying to find ways around problems and the generality of legislation. People involved in all sides of the seafaring business tell me that it is impossible to try to regulate this on an EU or Irish basis. They say that it is a global business and will not be regulated. The Spanish, Norwegians and others have tried this over...

Social Partnership Agreement. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Even if a new EU directive was there, it would not control this on an EU basis. Since last week, I have seen the companies involved at a European level, their flags of convenience and where their staffs come from. Subject to correction — or I will receive ten more letters from it — Irish Ferries was planning to register in Bermuda. Many other companies are registered outside the European...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I stated yesterday that the health boards first mooted the idea of a payroll system for the health sector in 1994-95. That is the factual position. However, they did not follow through on that system. To answer Deputy Kenny's first question, discussions took place and the original proposal was broadened out over time from that of a computerised payroll system to one dealing with the recording...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In implementing the project a number of major IT issues must be addressed, including the accurate recording of over 25 different staff rosters and employment conditions for staff which are entirely dependent on the relevant health board. As a result, there were wide variations in attendance hours, annual leave and attendances.

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am answering Deputy Kenny. A decision was taken to incorporate these variations into the new system, which dramatically increased the complexity of the manual intervention. Of course, considering the current situation, it would have been far better if they stuck to trying to get the payroll system right, but they did not. I am not here to dump on anyone; I am answering questions on what...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We are not passing the buck. I do not do that. I will answer——

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will answer the questions and am glad to do so. To answer Deputy Kenny's other question, I am informed the Comptroller and Auditor General raised this issue in his report last year — that is what I referred to yesterday. It was stated——

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am answering Deputy Kenny. I stated yesterday and the Tánaiste stated previously that it would cost another €56 million up to March 2006 to complete the system. Some €20 million of that cost comprises payroll costs, with the rest being consultancy fees to Deloitte & Touche and others.

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: When the HSE was established, the Department of Finance had concerns. The Department had a number of meetings this year, which have been documented, at which it raised its concerns.

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There is no need for me to list all those concerns.

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: They are in the letter. The Department of Finance said it believed the costs were excessive, that Deloitte & Touche was being overused and that it would have been better if staff had gone in. It asked for all that information to be supplied to it by 8 July. It is that review between the Departments of Finance and Health and Children and the Health Service Executive which has led to what has...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As regards any suggestion that somebody here has uncovered something, nobody has uncovered anything——

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: ——because it has been clear all year in the discussions between the Departments of Health and Children and Finance that they had concerns about aspects of this system. That is not to say this entire system is a waste of time and that they should undo what they have done. That is a different issue. I do not believe they should do so. They should continue to try to develop the system so the...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We all know the challenges of moving from 11 health boards to one HSE. The review which the HSE is undertaking tomorrow will be to see where it has brought this system and whether it should continue in some other way to try to bring the payroll system and all the other functions together. It is clear the amount of money it has taken to date to do it in the way it has been following is far too...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: During its watch this Government has increased public expenditure from €16 billion to €40 billion so that resources are available. In the past, €16 billion was available but now €40 billion is available for people to spend correctly. The various Accounting Officers and agencies have a responsibility to do that. We will accept our responsibility and will work with them to do so. The...

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If I could answer this on a serious basis——