Results 1,281-1,300 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (26 Sep 2007)

Noel Ahern: The CSSO are currently awaiting Closing Documents from the Vendor's Solicitor in respect of this purchase. Once the Closing Documents have been received and are in order the Sale will be finalised.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (5 Jul 2007)

Noel Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his most recent Parliamentary Question on this matter (Question 192 of 27 June, 2007). The position as outlined in my reply of that date remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (5 Jul 2007)

Noel Ahern: Flood Protection Works have been carried out by the Office of Public Works on the River Tolka over the past few years arising from a report prepared for Dublin City Council and part funded by OPW. A Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study [CFRAMS] of the River Dodder has recently commenced. The Study is being managed by Dublin City Council and is funded by the Office of Public...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (5 Jul 2007)

Noel Ahern: All flood relief works on the River Tolka being undertaken by the Office of Public Works and Dublin City Council are as a result of the recommendations contained in the River Tolka Flooding Study, completed in 2003. There are no outstanding works to be completed in this area.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (5 Jul 2007)

Noel Ahern: I am advised that the problem in question relates to flooding of an area of land and a road caused by a culvert constructed to create a road bridge. The size of the culvert appears to be inadequate to provide conveyance for the water at certain times. I understand that since the problem is caused by a road bridge it is a matter for the Local Authority to remedy. OPW has not been contacted by...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (4 Jul 2007)

Noel Ahern: The Commissioners of Public Works have received a request from Donegal County Council for assistance in dealing with the problem of flooding in Raphoe. Some discussions have already taken place between OPW and council officials. While it is much too early to have devised a solution to the problem, some possibilities have been identified, which will require further study. Discussion between...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (4 Jul 2007)

Noel Ahern: The properties in the ownership of the Commissioners of Public Works/Minister for Finance in the Youghal and east Cork region together with the current status of each property is scheduled in the following table. Location Property Code Property Name Address Site SqM Status Ballynoe P310 Ballynoe Garda Station (with married quarters) Ballynoe 1498.5 In use Fermoy P5070 Fermoy Military...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Second Stage (4 Jul 2007)

Noel Ahern: This Bill is required to give effect to the decision by the Government to increase the maximum number of Ministers of State from 17 to 20. As Senators will be aware, the number has remained unchanged since 1995, when section 1 of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1995 increased the maximum from 15 to 17. I will outline for the House some of the key reasons behind the proposal in...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (28 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: The Commissioners of Public Works, in conjunction with Galway County Council, have identified works that would reduce the flood risk in the area involved. The environmental and cost benefit aspects of the works, which would also require the agreement of landowners that would be affected, are currently being evaluated.

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: I thank the Members for their wide-ranging comments and thank Deputy Ó Caoláin for his support. Fundamentally, the Bill is about increasing the number of Ministers of State from 17 to 20. Deputy Bruton stated it would cost €4 million and I do not know how he arrived at that. The cost of a Minister of State, depending on the number of years' service, is probably between €40,000 and...

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: That will follow. From my five years of experience, in some cases one can have a delegation order and in others one does not. As Deputy Noonan will be aware, much depends on the relationship the Minister has with the Minister of State. Some Ministers of State will say that they had great freedom without delegation orders and some of them might be honest enough to say that, depending on the...

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: Last week, the Taoiseach stated that a number of functions and aspects of functions were being moved between Departments in respect of certain delegation orders. This is a matter of joined-up Government, a phrase Fine Gael used often during the election. As good and as perfect as the Civil Service is, civil servants fight battles on behalf of their Departments in many instances. Where...

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: I do not have all of that information. I do not know whether one Department issues orders and another does not.

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: A significant number of Ministers of State have delegation orders.

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: Yes.

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: I am not an authority in this regard, but Ministers heard which specific functions the Taoiseach was allocating. The allocation was passed by Government. While I may be wrong, not every Minister of State gets specific delegation orders approved by the Cabinet. From anecdotal information, those who might not have delegation orders might be given more freedom or have a greater amount of their...

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: It is a case of ensuring there is effective and joined-up Government through the new offices to which the Taoiseach has delegated responsibility.

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: None of them are signed yet. The process will evolve in the next two or three months.

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: Perhaps Deputy Sheehan is trying to make a case to his party leader. He may be seeking a job for himself.

Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: Deputy Burton and other Deputies asked about the functions of Ministers of State across more than one Department. In many cases, this is because particular issues cross-cut several Departments and there is no structure in place within the Civil Service to amalgamate the various Departments with a view to working together in one direction. Ministers of State will obviously not necessarily...