Results 101-120 of 27,617 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív

Written Answers — Rural Social Scheme: Rural Social Scheme (30 Mar 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: In my reply to Questions Nos. 122, 133, 171 and 196 on 9 March I outlined a timescale of six to eight weeks for putting in place the arrangements for the rural social scheme with the scheme to commence shortly thereafter. I am satisfied that the funds for the scheme will be available through a combination of transfers from the dormant accounts fund and savings in social welfare payments as a...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Cuireann sé áthas orm labhairt anseo ar tionscnamh CLÁR, cur síos a dhéanamh ar an obair atá ar bun, na cúiseanna atá leis na tograithe éagsúla atá roghnaithe againn agus deis a bheith agam éisteacht lena bheas le rá ag Seanadóirí. I dtosach báire, déanfaidh mé tagairt do rud a dúradh sa Seanad le gairid, rud gan bunústromchúiseach. Before I speak generally on theCLÁR...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: When the very serious allegation was made in the House, I was not here to defend myself. In fact, I heard it from a colleague who was in the House that evening. I quote directly what the Senator said——

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: This is relevant to CLÁR. Senator Burke said: The reality is that if we are to judge the potential of a slush fund based on the record of Deputy Ó Cuív as controller of CLÁR, it is no surprise there is distrust. The record speaks for itself. There is approximately €175 million in the fund currently, [the dormant accounts fund] but when dormant insurance policies and so on are taken into...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: This is the CLÁR programme.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I am addressing the issue of an allegation that was made about me when I was not present and could not have been present, unlike Senator Ulick Burke who could be here this afternoon. If he were interested in the CLÁR programme, he would be here.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: As I was saying when I was slightly rudely interrupted——

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Each local authority is then informed of its allocation and it is the local authority, not me, which selects the roads within the confines of the terms of the schemes. My Department then receives the proposals from the local authorities matching the amount of money allocated. These are then sent to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for examination to ensure that...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It is only a short time ago that Senator Burke stood up in the House——

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I beg the Senator's pardon.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The record will show that I was in Brussels on that day and for that reason, my colleague, the Minister of State, who has responsibility for dormant accounts on a day to day basis, was present for the whole debate.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I was not in the country.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It is only a short time ago that Senator Ulick Burke was strongly critical in the House of the proposals of the Government to change the governance of the dormant accounts. He was loud in praise of the concept of independent statutory boards keeping things away from politicians. One can imagine my utter amazement when last week I received a letter from the same Senator Burke requesting...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I read it carefully. The top of the letter shows the names of certain organisations.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It was for an application from his constituency.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: This is hypocrisy of the highest order. It would appear that Senator Ulick Burke has a major problem with overt political controls operated in a fair and transparent manner, but has no problem with covert political interference.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It is time Opposition Members stopped speaking out of both sides of their mouths.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: They should declare clearly whether politicians were elected to make decisions and act accordingly or whether they believe in the theory that decisions should be made at arm's length from Government. A politician like Senator Ulick Burke does no service to politics.

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Senator has damaged his good name and reputation and enabled people to take a cynical view of every politician. Since my election as a Senator in 1989, I have found that the vast majority of Members of the Oireachtas, irrespective of party or other differences, have treated each other fairly and with respect. Unfortunately, there are a few who fail to adhere to these standards and do no...

Seanad: CLÁR Programme: Statements. (7 Apr 2004)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I am referring simply to some notes. A copy can be provided to the Senator.