Results 8,741-8,760 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: When we announce the decision, I hope that the House's support will be as full as its interest has been.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Sargent knows that a few years ago the NRA totally changed the systems and structure it was operating for roads, designing them in a very loose way rather than producing detailed plans. Then, when high specifications were put in, costs were far higher. I explained that to the House several years ago based on what had been happening. Since then, there has been far more accurate costing....

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We are now spending €2 billion a year on roads, and a few years ago we did not have the structures to deal with that. We brought expertise into the NRA——

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: ——from Ireland, around Europe and South Africa. All those systems are now in place, leading to far more cost-effective contracts. We had other delays as a result of planning issues and other problems. During the initial years, as highlighted in the contracts, there was 40% inflation on them. That was the major part of contracts in the past. The system is now far better, with much more...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The roads plan is built into a ten-year programme and we are delivering on that. The Deputy has seen how many schemes there are. There are 19 this year, and 15 or 16 were finished last year. It is developing a far better roads structure in the country than we have ever had.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There has been a number of independent evaluations. Both Fitzpatricks and Associates and Indecon have acknowledged the NRA is generally well managed as regards those factors within its control. There are factors outside the control of the NRA.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We will not get into the issues outside the authority's control. Deputy Sargent has quoted figures in regard to the roads programme. The Deputy is well aware this was a particular programme for a limited number of roads. It was expanded significantly over several years and there are now 68 projects involving the construction of 120 km of roadway and almost 120 km of dual carriageway around...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The early schemes for control of these projects were obviously not adequate. This is why the NRA has strengthened its cost estimation and control procedures in the past five years. A figure of 86% was mentioned in last night's television programme, as quoted by Deputy Sargent. However, 40% of this was inflation. The report of the Committee of Public Accounts offers a full breakdown of the...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Some 20% was due to modifications in scope where architectural changes were made to projects and 24% was a consequence of project-specific increases such as those relating to the tunnel, the south-eastern motorway and the Glen of the Downs.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: These were changes the local authorities and the NRA made in the design of projects.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The NRA has introduced new cost-effective methods and procurement practices which ensure the new design-build projects are coming in on time and under cost. This was not the case before.

Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 18, Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]— Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 19, Electoral Amendment Bill 2005 — Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business shall be No. 45, motion re the report of the Health and Safety Authority on its inspection programme in accident and emergency units.

Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the first issue, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has announced there will be a consultation period on the heads of this Bill. That consultation is now under way. I do not have a date for the publication of the legislation. We must listen to the views of all concerned parties. I do not know if the issue of prison escorts requires legislation or whether the Minister can do...

Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: May I answer this question? I am at a disadvantage. If Deputy Rabbitte had raised this as his Leader's question I would have been able to answer.

Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: When I answer in the House, I am not in camera but on camera and my obligation is to give an answer to the House. Replying to a distressed family, the O'Hara family, by e-mail is not sneaky. I did not raise the issue. However, the point I made, based on the information I had — for which I make no apology — was that when the staff member acted, they did so on the basis of certain...

Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: ——and was moving issues on.

Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The second issue is that the e-mail which the family sent to me, to which I replied, indicated a desire not to have this issue raised in public.

Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: What the family is interested in is that these matters are dealt with. Incidentally, the Deputy suggests this is a matter of urgent importance but it took place eight or nine weeks ago. However, that is neither here nor there.

Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I retract nothing.

Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: My obligation to this House is to answer a question when it is put to me. I will not withdraw that.