Results 1,361-1,380 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to Parliamentary Questions 1 to 8 on 1 November, 2006, I stated that substantial progress had been made in implementing the recommendations of the Sullivan Report. Progress continues to be made and includes a review of risk management procedures for sensitive cases, periodic reports to Government on sensitive and constitutional cases and secondment of a number of Advisory Counsel to...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Some 33 staff currently serving in my Department have applied through the Central Applications Facility to relocate under the Decentralisation Programme. The breakdown by grade is as follows: Grade Number Principal Officer 1 Assistant Principal 5 Higher Executive Officer 4 Administrative Officer 7 Executive Officer 6 Staff Officer 1 Clerical Officer 9 15 former members of staff...

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Some of them have been.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I understand the legislation is nearly ready. I will have to discuss the matter with the Minister for Health and Children but I will raise the Deputy's concerns.

National Honours System. (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The issue of a State honours system has been mooted many times in the past but there has never been all-party support to sustain its development. In September 1999, I wrote to the main Opposition party leaders enclosing a discussion paper. It was the first time a serious attempt had been made to outline the broad shape of such a...

National Honours System. (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I did not put forward a draft scheme for consideration in my letter to the leaders of the Opposition, because I understand it might be more helpful to let the outlines of a scheme emerge from discussions at all-party level, if there is agreement to hold such discussions. I did, however, offer a number of views, which may be useful to any further discussions. In 1998 or 1999, I set out a...

National Honours System. (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy will never hear me being referred to as Sir.

National Honours System. (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: There are many good schemes. Gaisce, the President's award, is one scheme that challenges young people to use their leisure time for positive development for the betterment of their communities. The Aosdána award is in place for artists. The Deeds of Bravery Council makes awards for the saving of human life in situations involving personal risk. The Scott medal is awarded to members of...

National Honours System. (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: As I said, I am totally open on the matter. While we proposed a scheme which we had prepared within the Department based on discussions in 1998, I am not wedded to it. As regards a national award, I am inclined to think it should concern continuity of service. While some may differ, I am not hugely into honouring the person who scored a goal last week or won a competition because there are...

National Honours System. (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: This matter has been the subject of debate for 77 years. I do not want to put undue emphasis on it. No matter what one says, somebody will pick up on something. I was careful to say we are talking of a handful of people honoured by another jurisdiction, whether in the United States, different parts of Europe, recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize or awards by the British Government. It is...

National Honours System. (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——and one notes on the night that half of the people being honoured do not turn up. That says something, but it is not that these awards are unimportant. The people concerned are not available on the night for one reason or another and they ask other people to collect the award on their behalf. Being recognised by a president of a country by a system set up by the political system is a...

National Honours System. (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I was not in any way being critical as regards replying to the letter. That is not what I meant. In reply to Deputy Ó Caoláin, it would have to be an independent and open system. Those with an interest in this issue, including persons involved in big award schemes, say it would have to be a transparent system, as otherwise it would not work. It would have to be open to everybody,...

National Honours System. (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On Deputy Finian McGrath's first question, the French system is good, has worked well and has been in operation for a long time. In this regard, one should bear in mind that France is a republic. Its system is associated with the political system yet retains its independence. It is easy enough to see how one can build a system around such a concept, and doing so would not present a...

National Honours System. (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Having been on both sides of this House, I am not sure how I would solve that one because there is a consistency in that regard whoever is in government. An awards scheme would be an entirely different system. What happens in other countries and what would have to happen here is that a panel would undertake the task. That is the only way it could be done to ensure the system is fair. If...

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: An Bord Pleanála has granted permission to Dublin City Council to develop a municipal waste incinerator with a capacity of 600,000 tonnes at Poolbeg. This incinerator is provided for in the Dublin regional waste management plan. That plan is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authorities led by Dublin City Council. While the Minister has certain powers under the Act in...

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The only notes I have are departmental notes. Departmental officials who are experts in this area are not spin doctors, with the greatest respect. I will try to answer the Deputy's questions. As regards incineration, there are two private sector proposed developments, one in Meath for municipal waste and one in Cork for hazardous waste. They have received planning permission and they have...

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am giving the Deputy the calculation and I am giving him——

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: This is the view I share. The Minister, Deputy Gormley, and his Department see enormous potential for the role of refuse-derived fuel and other technologies in dealing with a residual fraction in a cost-effective environmentally sustainable manner. The regional waste management plants currently in place provide for a substantial over-capacity for incineration of the order of 2 million...

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy asked a fair question, namely what Deputy Gormley has done, as Minister, to move the Government to a particular position. I am just answering that question. Section 60 of the Waste Management Act provides that local authorities should not enter into commitments in the context of public private partnerships to guarantee a specific volume of waste to the plant operator, other than...

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Very briefly, the Deputy asked a question about the Minister, Deputy Gormley's comment, about making Poolbeg redundant. In fairness to the Minister, he made that reference to the overall capacity required nationally for incineration of terminal treatment. I have already outlined, as has the Minister, that if the recycling and MBT capacity is increased, that can reduce residual waste to a...