Results 1,621-1,640 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: It has become quite the trend internationally, in Holland, Britain and in other countries, to decentralise to the field.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: At the same time I hear Members on the opposite side of the House objecting to decentralisation which involves travelling less than 200 miles down the road. Deputy Allen is displaying the usual Irish absurd obsession with short distances and conflating them with large distances.

Overseas Development Aid. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Ireland was among the first countries to respond to the appalling disaster in South Asia. Within a few hours of the earthquake, €1 million was pledged towards immediate relief efforts in northern Pakistan and the surrounding regions. As the casualty figures rose dramatically, our response was increased to €5 million, placing Ireland as one of the highest donors to the disaster on a per...

Overseas Development Aid. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I share the Deputy's utter frustration in this regard. I do not wish to be seen as patting ourselves on the back but Ireland has responded consistently and rapidly to every humanitarian crisis of 2005. As the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, insisted at the beginning of the year with regard to the tsunami, we have diligently tracked these pledges and held countries to account so that promises...

Overseas Development Aid. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Generally speaking, the European response is good. The Minister made strong representations at every level in terms of equipping Europe with a more appropriate and speedy civil response mechanism. He consistently identified such a priority at meetings throughout this year and we intend to follow that up. It is frustrating that not everyone is like us in providing money. Alongside the Nordic...

Overseas Development Aid. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I will inquire of the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Mr. Louis Michel, whether that can be done and will revert to the Deputy. As Europe has its own ways of working, I am reluctant to give a firm commitment on that matter.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, announced in December 2003, the development cooperation directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, based in Dublin, is scheduled to decentralise to Limerick. This will involve the relocation to Limerick of 123 posts and is scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2007. There are 42 people working within the Department with a...

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I do not think the Deputy was listening to me. I specified a figure of 42.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The Deputy may be relatively new to his portfolio as Opposition spokesman on foreign affairs.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The Deputy may not be aware that DCI is a fully integrated part of the Department of Foreign Affairs, we are the Department. Although DCI has a different name it is a division of the Department, like the Europe division and so on.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: It is integrated in the Department of Foreign Affairs. I am not massaging figures — 42 people within the Department are prepared to decentralise to Limerick which represents 34% of the staff requirement we will need.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I do not understand how the Member opposite, who represents a Cork constituency, could oppose decentralisation.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: His contribution is ironic because it seems to suggest there is something untoward or wrong in moving a Department to Limerick.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Many of our partner countries in Europe are decentralising——

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: ——very serious functions to Africa, Pakistan and other places. Other countries are decentralising to the field, not within their own countries. The United Kingdom has been through a decentralisation to Scotland which has been a success.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: A site has been identified.

Ferns Report: Statements (Resumed). (9 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I pay tribute to those who came forward to speak to the Ferns Inquiry to outline the appalling abuse they suffered. I find the Ferns Report deeply disturbing and shocking, not because I am a Minister of State or a Dáil Deputy, but because I am a father of young children. The only times I have been moved to tears during my eight-year political career in this House have been when the victims...

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The Labour Party is cogging the exams again.

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Deputy Higgins should make sure the guns are not targeted at him.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (8 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: An independent audit committee was established in the Department of Foreign Affairs in November 2003. The members are: John Gerard O'Connor, chairperson, John S. Pittock, John A. Jackson and Valerie Little. The committee held the following meetings from November 2004 to November 2005: In 2004 on 17 and 29 November and 17 December; in 2005 on 28 January, 1 and 18 March, 14 April, 6 May, 9...