Results 16,841-16,849 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern
- Seanad: Business of Seanad. - Digital Hub Development Agency Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (23 Oct 2002)
Dermot Ahern: I have been a Minister for a couple of years and I often wonder why people wish to go on boards. I am not being flippant, but there are times when it is difficult to fill board vacancies. It is often difficult to get people of calibre. However, that does not apply in this case. The most recent appointment to the board was the change of the chairperson. William Burgess has an excellent track...
- Seanad: Business of Seanad. - Digital Hub Development Agency Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (23 Oct 2002)
Dermot Ahern: This is taking on more responsibility because it will be a statutory board from now on. As regards appointments I have made to boards since I became a Minister, if I was required to justify in writing why someone should or should not be appointed, it would be a practical nightmare. It would also be dangerous because people might at a later date see something about themselves in it which they...
- Seanad: Business of Seanad. - Digital Hub Development Agency Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (23 Oct 2002)
Dermot Ahern: I forgot to refer to the Senator's point about the institutes of technology. We hope they will have a fairly substantial role in the development of the digital hub.
- Seanad: Business of Seanad. - Digital Hub Development Agency Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (23 Oct 2002)
Dermot Ahern: As regards the institutes of technology, I accept the Senator's point and I will bear it in mind. On the last point made by Senator Ryan, it would put a huge onus on the Minister to explain the whys and wherefores of an appointment. I have experience of making appointments to boards and it would be difficult to do that. It would also create a lot of unnecessary paper. Amendment put and...
- Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Order for Second Stage. (17 Oct 2002)
Dermot Ahern: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now." Question put and agreed to.
- Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (17 Oct 2002)
Dermot Ahern: This is my first time in the new Seanad. I congratulate you, a Chathaoirligh, on your elevation and congratulate all the Senators who were elected.
- Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (17 Oct 2002)
Dermot Ahern: That will not happen.
- Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (17 Oct 2002)
Dermot Ahern: As contributions will be sought from the private sector, perhaps the Senator will contribute.
- Seanad: Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (17 Oct 2002)
Dermot Ahern: I thank Senators for their contributions which indicate a wide knowledge of what is involved. I agree with Senator Kenneally that, when the committees are formed, a visit by the relevant committee to the MediaLab, which is up and running, and the digital hub area, which is to be developed, would be important. I visited them recently and received a briefing from the people involved. It is only...