Results 1,121-1,140 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) and Subsequent Stages (20 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: I am sorry but I thought I should gently remind the Senator. We accept that the country is entering a new cycle and that growth of 4.75% is low compared to growth experienced in recent years. Next year the rate will be around 3% and we are in a slight downward spiral but these figures are still impressive and most of our European partners will be impressed. The Senator may be critical but I...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) and Subsequent Stages (20 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: We have been very successful regarding the national debt. Senator Ross referred to the ESRI and anyone can criticise and make projections but the Government must make projections also and we will see in 12 months who was right. Certain agencies are always inclined to be slightly pessimistic, negative and conservative but the Government, by its nature, must lay out its policies and face the...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) and Subsequent Stages (20 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The media and others, such as economists, were rubbishing——

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) and Subsequent Stages (20 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: Economists amuse me in that although they are very learned men and women, when I spoke about 100% mortgages I was told to go back to them when quantified research data was available. If a person wants to know what the weather is like, it is sometimes better to look out the window rather than look up what gurus are saying on computers. I thank Members for their comments this morning. Outside...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2007: Second Stage (20 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad on the Appropriation Bill 2007. I propose to outline briefly the purpose of the Bill, to mention its provisions, to highlight the significant reforms introduced to the budgetary and expenditure process this year and to run through some of the outputs from the amounts appropriated in 2007. The main purpose of the Appropriation Bill 2007 is to...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2007: Second Stage (20 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: Was that request made after the report was published?

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2007: Second Stage (20 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: In many cases.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (19 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The building in question is one of a pair of buildings which are surplus to requirements and are therefore being sold. The demolition of part of one of the buildings was done to remove planning risk, which would create greater certainty for the buyer and thus greater value for the exchequer in terms of the purchase price paid. Having consulted with the relevant bodies, we are satisfied that...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (19 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: Works to the structure of the Swiss Cottage and the adjacent bridge are completed. Landscaping and ancillary works are ongoing. The projected costs are in the order of €0.5 million. A formal re-opening will take place at the Swiss Cottage in March 2008 and the site will be open from mid March to mid October.

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (19 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: Contract documents have not yet be finalised and therefore have not been forwarded to the Department of Education & Science for signing.

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (19 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The Deputy may be referring to the Steward's House at Farmleigh. The Steward's House was recently refurbished to provide additional guest accommodation as part of the overall Farmleigh complex but separate from the main house. The Steward's House is an integral part of the Farmleigh Estate and it was included as part of the purchase of Farmleigh by the State in 1999. Much of the renovation...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (19 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The information sought by the Deputy in relation to overnight usage of Farmleigh and the annual running costs of Farmleigh in each of the 5 years from 2002 to 2006 is given in the following tables. In addition to the cost of running Farmleigh as the premier guest facility for visiting Heads of State, the expenditure in each year supported significant other activity at Farmleigh in relation...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (19 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: Schedule of locations where sites have been purchased: Location Site Cost â'¬ Carlow 1,440,000 Clonakilty 2,875,000 Buncrana 1,105,860 Killarney 4,500,000 Newcastle West 325,000 Longford 576,250 Trim 3,600,000 Thurles 967,500 Dungarvan 2,100,000 Knock 390,000 Cavan 2,900,000 Claremorris 2,500,000 Tipperary 1,625,000 Edenderry 1,500,000 Roscommon 3,000,000 Drogheda...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The only works carried out by the Office of Public Works to the properties so mentioned are of a security nature and I consider it inappropriate to give details of such security measures.

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (18 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: I refer to my reply to question 163 of 10th October, 2007. The scaffolding has since been erected and the structural stability of the Folly is being assessed.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (18 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: I am advised that the drainage problem in this case does not relate to risk of flooding and does not therefore come within the remit of the Commissioners of Public Works. I understand Kildare County Council is aware of the problem.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (18 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The Government has allocated €50 million in 2008, an increase of €18 million over 2007 figures, to assist the Office of Public Works in its role as lead agency in the management of flood risk nationally and the implementation of flood relief works. Four major flood relief schemes at Clonmel, Mallow, Fermoy and Ennis are expected to be at construction stage by the end of the first quarter...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (18 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The Office of Public Works has been carrying out works on the River Tolka in conjunction with the three local authorities concerned, Dublin City Council, Meath County Council and Fingal County Council, since 2003. The works have been carried out as a result of the recommendations contained in the River Tolka Flooding Report completed in 2003. The Report recommended a number of works from...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (18 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The Dunkellin River forms part of a Drainage District and maintenance responsibility for this area lies with the Local Authority. However, the Commissioners of Public Works are currently in consultation with the Irish Farmers Association and Galway Co. Council in relation to a programme of maintenance works to relieve flooding on the Dunkellin River from downstream of Killeely to Craughwell....

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (18 Dec 2007)

Noel Ahern: The channel in the area referred to forms part of the River Suck Joint Drainage District for which Roscommon and Galway County Councils have maintenance responsibility. The Commissioners of Public Works had not been made aware of a flooding problem in this area. If further details are provided an OPW engineer will look into the matter.