Results 11,141-11,160 of 26,486 for speaker:John McGuinness
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: Someone has a phone near the desk.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: In his opening statement, the Minister extended an invitation to write in or use this exchange to make suggestions. I tend to use these meetings as best I can to make suggestions. With regard to public service reform, page 31 of the mid-year expenditure report states there is evidence that Ireland has a strong record of efficient use of public funds. This may be the case generally....
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: All of what the Minister has said is correct but it does not lead to transparency in the accounts. If money is allocated through the Department, or if the Department oversees the allocation of money through another Department, I expect someone will receive a comprehensive report on how the money is spent. While it is open to the Oireachtas committee to invite in the board, the CEO or the...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: With respect, I do not know if the Minister has ever looked at company accounts.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: One will never find in the accounts for the school transport system an explanation for costs incurred or information on whether the system is profitable. I have looked at the accounts and could not find that information. On how Government money is spent and accounted for, I refer the Minister to the spending of taxpayers' money on the Galway project which was the subject of a "Prime Time"...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: Is the Minister happy with the appointment?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: That is fine.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: I did not say that.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: That is twisting my words.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: The point I am making is that greater accountability is required for how taxpayers' money is spent, down to the point where it is spent. That requires reform of the legislation. I am not pointing a finger at a particular Department. I am saying there is a significant lack of oversight of the spending of taxpayers' money and how it is reported to the parent Department and thereafter the...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: I am speaking about accountability through a particular office for the spending of a particular amount of money which is quite large. I use the school transport system as an example, but there are others. I have said privately to the Minister that the provision in the legislation which empowers the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General to examine the spending of taxpayers money,...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: Will it be made up of officials from Departments or will it comprise persons who are competent in the area? Will there be an input from business and other areas?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: Will the members of the commission be appointed by the Minister or will different sectors appoint individuals to it?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: Might Michael O'Leary be a member of it?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: How many individuals who have come directly from the private sector are employed in the higher levels of the Civil Service now?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: Yes, but they are recently appointed. You might let us have the information on that.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: I heard on the radio this morning that the Garda representatives wish to meet you. Do you consider that a worthwhile step in terms of their negotiations?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: I should explain the absence of members, particularly Members of the Seanad. They are currently listening to the Taoiseach. I hope you understand.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: Exactly.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)
John McGuinness: The Minister's argument is that the Deputy should not worry because he is in safe hands.