Results 921-939 of 939 for speaker:Noel Treacy

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: This agency will be responsible to the Committee of Public Accounts and there will be plenty of options to scrutinise its management, operations and successes. Senators have raised the matter of the guidelines on State authorities seeking advice from the NDFA. The legislation provides that the Minister for Finance would issue guidance on the circumstances on which National Development Finance...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: It is therefore a matter for the Minister to revoke such guidelines and instructions. The legislation is clear in what it proposes. Consequently, I regret I cannot accept the amendment but I assure the House that once the guidelines are available they will be available to everybody.

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: I listened with interest to what Senator Paddy Burke said about accountability. I served for six years on a local authority and became chairman on my second year there. The situation pertaining to local accountability has not changed. My recollection is that a project is advertised and tendered, it is decided who is to get the tender, it goes to construction, is opened officially and there is...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: Parliamentary questions are not relevant in this case.

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: There are Adjournment debates, special notice questions and motions; these instruments are readily available to get to the bottom of any situation. There are other people sitting in other houses across the city trying to dig deep and they are finding it hard to get answers. I am quite confident about this new system.

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: That is a matter for the Minister, the Attorney General and the Clerk of the Dáil.

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: I will not legislate or take powers for myself to say: "This will be the way, boys, and that is it." I will leave the system to evolve and ensure that sustainable legislative structures are put in that give—

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: Absolutely. I am confident that we will have a good system in position and a good structure to give great public advice in the interests of the taxpayer. Senator Paddy Burke raised the matter of ongoing costs with regard to priorities. This relates to ownership of projects. It is important to note that while the proposed legislation provides that State authorities would be obliged to seek...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: I have listened with interest to what both Senators have said. The purpose of the National Development Finance Agency is clearly set out in section 3(1). Its purpose is to advise and, in certain circumstances, provide finance on public investment projects. It will be a matter for Government Ministers or, where there is delegated sanction, the accounting officer or equivalent, to decide on the...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: I agree with Senator Mansergh's conclusion. We cannot be selective in saying one person has to have this, that or the other. If we were to go down that road we would have to be specific and say that each member must have certain expertise or some area of expertise. The proposed amendment is too restrictive in the demands it makes on the composition of the board. It would restrict the board,...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: I am confident we will do the same again. I would not like to restrict the composition of the board and it would be unwise to do so. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Section 12 agreed to. Sections 13 to 17, inclusive, agreed to. SECTION 18.

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: It is not necessary to include the word "reasonably" in subsection (4). The Minister and the National Development Finance Agency are obliged under law to act reasonably in the performance of all their functions. Reasonableness, fairness, equality, etc., have to prevail and we can be certain that will be the hallmark and track record of this agency. Consequently, I regret I cannot accept this...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: This matter was raised on Committee Stage in the Dáil by Deputy Richard Bruton and the Minister, Deputy McCreevy, informed him that he could accept it in principle, subject to consultation with the Attorney General. We have been advised by the Office of the Attorney General that the concerns, which have been expressed in both the Dáil and Seanad, which are sought to be addressed in this...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: It is not a matter for the board of the National Development Finance Agency to report to a committee of the Oireachtas on a project or projects which it funds. It will be a matter, as in the normal course, of democratic life for the relevant Minister, accounting officer, or the equivalent in a Department or agency or authority to report to the Government and Oireachtas in the normal manner in...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency Bill, 2002: Motion for Earlier Signature. (17 Dec 2002)

Noel Treacy: I thank the Chair, the House, the staff and all the Senators who have contributed to the debate on this Bill. I was pleased to come here on behalf of the Minister for Finance to assist in ensuring its passage. I am confident that, as the year ends, this legislation will enable the Government to proceed with the various public projects that are critically important to the future infrastructure...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Cardinal Healthcare, Longford. (16 Oct 2002)

Noel Treacy: Déanaim comhgairdeas ó chroí leis na Seanadóirí a ath-tofadh agus leis na Seanadóirí nua. Déanaim comhgairdeas speisialta leatsa, a Chathaoirligh, as ucht a bheith tofa mar Chathaoirleach ar an tSeanad. Tá meas mór agam ar an dTeach seo agus ar an gcaighdeán ard díospóireachta polaitíochta atá le fáil anseo le blianta fada. Tá mé féin agus mo chomhghleacaithe sa Rialtas ag...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Cardinal Healthcare, Longford. (16 Oct 2002)

Noel Treacy: The previous Government gave special status to Longford on two occasions. It was given status in terms of urban renewal, which accorded special status for development in the greater Longford area. We have given special status to the BMW region, resulting in the highest priority rating possible to create the biggest incentive to locate a company in that area. That is one of the reasons...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Disease Eradication Schemes. (16 Oct 2002)

Noel Treacy: The disposal of reactor animals under the TB and brucellosis disease eradication schemes operates countrywide on the basis that meat factories tender on a weekly basis for the slaughter of these animals. The Department selects the meat factories on the basis of the prices that they offer for different types of animals.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Beef Industry. (16 Oct 2002)

Noel Treacy: The current events in the beef industry began as a protest three weeks ago and were originally confined to farmers protesting at AIBP owned plants, which were prevented from sorting cattle on Monday, 23 September. The protest has been extended to the point that five plants, accounting for 20% of the national slaughtering capacity, are disrupted by the dispute. I understand the protest was...