Results 1,061-1,080 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. I propose to circulate in the Official Report the information requested by the Deputies on the statistics regarding freedom of information requests received in my Department. All freedom of information applications received in my Department are processed by statutorily designated officials in accordance with the 1997 and 2003...

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The figure for last year was 54, while the projected figure for this year, given that there are just a few weeks left, will be in the order of 60. Most of the applications are either accepted or partly accepted, while others are referred elsewhere. In my Department, however, most of the freedom of information applications concern straightforward issues — they are not quite as complex as...

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On the first issue, as I said before, there are not many appeals concerning freedom of information applications to my Department, but there is a large cost involved. First, if it is a personal matter, as with most of the cases we deal with, there is no charge whatsoever. The €15 fee is modest compared to the average administrative cost, which is approximately €425. If the matter goes...

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: In my Department, the figure has levelled out at approximately 50 to 60. When the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 was enacted, there was quite a number of people endeavouring to obtain information and there was a huge surge of applications. Second, companies and individuals were doing trawling exercises with a view to using the information they obtained commercially to the...

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: That is a matter for the Department of Finance. In any review that takes place, I will ask the Minister for Finance to take on board Deputy Gilmore's views on the matter.

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Regarding my Department, when the legislation was enacted in 2003 there was obviously pent-up demand on the part of individuals to make FOI requests. This has not changed and any individual seeking information about himself, in the first instance or on appeal, is not subject to a charge. There is no difficulty about this and the changes made in the 2003 Act have no bearing on it whatever....

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Each year the Information Commissioner produces an excellent report which is examined by the Department of Finance. The Department carries out that review on an annual basis and it is a matter for it to make changes.

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If a Deputy wants information about something relating to my Department, he or she may table a parliamentary question and we will try to answer that.

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If an individual wants information about his or her records, he or she does not have to pay.

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If he or she wants information about somebody else, one is getting into a different area.

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I agree.

Freedom of Information. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If we get a freedom of information request in my Department on which we cannot give all the information, we part grant the information. Rather than ignore it, we at least try to deal with the policy issues with which we can deal. In approximately one quarter of all requests, we would at least give the policy information we can give. In terms of policy and without straying into other areas,...

Commemorative Events. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. The Great Famine had a significant impact on Ireland, including loss of life and the transformation of Irish society, as well as establishing an enduring pattern of high emigration and the development of diaspora nations. The Famine has been commemorated in recent years through the opening of the Famine Museum at Strokestown Park,...

Commemorative Events. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Maybe it was commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Constitution but I am not sure. I am sure school libraries get a range of books.

Commemorative Events. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: There has been very active community involvement, both North and South, in the commemoration of the flight of the earls. They have just brought their 2007 commemoration to an end. There was an emphasis on the story at home, which is one of a time of change and progress in Europe. The Irish College in Louvain, where the earls found their initial refuge, and the history of the Franciscan...

Commemorative Events. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I hope we can have it for 2008. As soon as I have the report of the committee, I will give it to the House because a number of people have taken an interest in this. We will then see how we can proceed. I hope we would get it going by 2008.

Commemorative Events. (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Ó Caoláin has put forward a number of suggestions and I will give them to the commemorative committee in my Department for examination. I am not aware if there is a particular commemoration or if an organisation has requested funding regarding the Irish Republican Brotherhood. We received proposals from some organisations on commemorating the great Famine. I stated that the best...

Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 7a, Passports Bill 2007 – financial resolution, and No. a11, Budget Statement and financial motions by the Minister for Finance for 2007, which shall be taken on the conclusion of questions to members of the Government. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. and the motion for the general...

Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The purpose of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Bill is to consolidate and update 17 items of existing inland fisheries legislation, which is cumbersome, to say the least. It will bring these together in a single statute and will provide for the establishment of a new national fisheries authority. An independent review of inland fisheries is being carried out by an interdepartmental committee,...

Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Fines Bill is before the House and is awaiting Order for Second Stage. I am not sure when the Second Stage will be taken. We agreed to a debate on the MacEntee report. I tried to see if the debate could be scheduled before Christmas, particularly because Deputy Ó Caoláin raised the same issue with me last week. However, it appears that we may not be able to facilitate Deputies in...