Results 9,441-9,460 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have no legislation listed yet.

Order of Business. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We will certainly have a debate. Some of the areas for trade-off are already proceeding. They may not be completed, but I certainly know of one site advertised months ago where the negotiations have moved quite far. I cannot give the guarantee that it will not be completed before the debate.

Order of Business. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Yes.

Order of Business. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is three years since this was discussed. I do not know why it is being moved now. Negotiations were carried out a long time ago.

Order of Business. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is not listed. I imagine as soon as possible, so it can be cleared.

Order of Business. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is hoped to have this legislation in the House this year. It may be after summer but it is hoped to pass it in 2005.

Order of Business. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Cabinet has not made that decision yet. We will discuss it with the leaders of the main Opposition parties.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: First Stage. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: No.

Consultancy Contracts. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There are a number of points. Significantly, the report finds that, taken in the round, there was little material difference between work done by Ms Leech and what was contracted for. The Minister and Ms Leech rejected the suggestions that they did not in any way complete the full work contracted for, whatever about the rates of salary, expenses and allowances. They were agreed as part of the...

Consultancy Contracts. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Four weeks ago information pertaining to all contracts in each Department was circulated on foot of parliamentary questions. Every Minister and Department was asked to ensure that all contracts were properly in place. As shown in the detailed report, most press work is done by civil servants. People were asked to ensure that standards were in place regarding contracts. The Quigley report...

Consultancy Contracts. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I can ask about that, but my information is that was the reason for refusal, so I am not aware of why it has been refused now. I can ask.

Legislative Programme. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 10, inclusive, together. My Department has three items of legislation for the current Dáil session: the National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002, the Interpretation Bill 2000 and the Statute Law Revision (Pre-1922) Bill 2004. I do not anticipate any change in priorities in the next 12 months. The National Economic and Social Development...

Legislative Programme. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I repeat that three Bills from my Department are before the Houses at present: the National Economic and Social Development Office Bill, the Interpretation Bill and the Statute Law Revision (Pre-1922) Bill. Deputy Rabbitte is correct in saying that if we were to get some time, we could clear all three Bills. It would be helpful if we could do so and move on. While I would still like to...

Legislative Programme. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I could check it.

Legislative Programme. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The legislation referred to is on the legislative list of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. However, to be helpful to Deputy Kenny, I will check its current status.

Legislative Programme. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There is no legislation in my Department relating to Northern Ireland but a number of Bills are pending in other Departments such as the Foyle fisheries Bill and other related legislation and orders. The Foyle fisheries Bill is at a fairly advanced stage and we should be able to progress it. Other legislation not relevant to my Department is pending but is caught up in North-South issues. The...

Legislative Programme. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not think anyone will leave tomorrow but it is important that we deal with the matter during the course of the year.

Consultancy Contracts. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. The report prepared by Mr. Dermot Quigley was published on Thursday, 27 January 2005. I made the report available to Deputies in the Oireachtas Library and also on the Department of the Taoiseach website. There is nothing in the report to suggest that Deputy Cullen, now Minister for Transport, acted inappropriately regarding the...

Consultancy Contracts. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The question of there being a suspicion or perception of impropriety can arise, as Mr. Quigley stated. I have accepted that position and, within that broad principle, there must be changes to the rules. It arose in this case and we must ensure that it does not happen again. It was precisely because those concerns existed that I set up the inquiry into the procurement process. It was...

Consultancy Contracts. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not intend to have a re-run of Mr. Quigley's report. He did that work and put forward his issues. I have not checked what people got but Mr. Quigley said that the procedures in that Department alone on previous occasions were not unlike what had happened in this case. Other issues had happened at other times. Perhaps years had moved on and the rates would not be the same but he made the...