Results 1-20 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Special Savings Investment Scheme. (14 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: I thank Senator Brian Hayes for his kind comments and I apologise for the absence of the Minister for Finance who is otherwise engaged. He has a busy afternoon ahead of him I understand Senator Hayes's comments but I cannot accept them fully. The Government recognizes the crucial importance of providing not just for the short term but for a sustainable future in the longer term. We have taken...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Special Savings Investment Scheme. (14 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: Would it? There is not clear evidence. Numerous suggestions have been put to the Minister, many saying the State has been too generous and that the Minister should claw back bonuses or abolish the scheme altogether. Senator Hayes is providing an extra favour for the saver and there is an element of making an each way bet in his proposal. His proposal might benefit the State in the longer...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Special Savings Investment Scheme. (14 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: I cannot say that, but if there was a consensus among people on the Opposition and other people in political life as to how the scheme could be amended the Minister might consider those views. I understand the principle of Senator Brian Hayes's proposal. However, if it were accepted now there might well be a mass exodus, which is not what the Government would want.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Special Savings Investment Scheme. (14 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: The Minister for Finance does not want a run on his savings either. I have some sympathy with the Senator's proposal but such an action is not in the Minister's thinking at the moment. If there were consensus on how he might amend the scheme I am sure he would consider all good ideas.

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: The Senator's local authority can police it.

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: The Deputy should read the full letter.

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: In launching the 2003 Estimates, the Government acknowledged that difficult decisions had to be made in terms of spending priorities. To do anything less would be irresponsible at a time when the worldwide economic slowdown in growth is impacting seriously on Ireland and our public expenditure is running ahead of tax yields. The abolition of the first-time buyer's new house grant was one of...

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: We are not.

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: I will speak about housing figures, if the Senator so wishes. In making this difficult decision on the first-time buyer's grant we sought to ensure fair treatment by ensuring all approved and yet to be approved applications in the Department would, subject to the normal conditions of the scheme, qualify for the grant payment. In addition, those who have already made commitments in the form of...

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: It certainly does. It is full steam ahead. While I appreciate that abolition of a scheme inevitably causes disappointment, particularly for those who hoped to benefit from the scheme, our focus must now be on the more targeted schemes and particularly the housing needs of lower income groups. The range of schemes and supports which I mentioned are more targeted. It is the philosophy of the...

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: The measures I have listed indicate that the Government is very left minded in the way it has brought in rental subsidy schemes and a site subsidy scheme.

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: Those are enormous benefits for the low paid and those most in need. The Senator should look at them and recognise their significance. That is the direction. I hope that, through stamp duty exemption and mortgage relief, the Government can continue to assist the middle classes. However, the main emphasis is on lower paid people – the attempt to get them off local authority lists and to...

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: That is not what he said.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - School Transport. (27 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: I am here in the absence of the Minister for Education and Science. The Senator will be aware that the mother of the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, has died. Her funeral is today. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline the position regarding school transport at Milford post-primary schools. The school transport scheme was...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - School Transport. (27 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: I will convey that point but the mix between the different age groups in different schools ought to be the same. My own son was about 19 when he did the leaving certificate so I accept that these children are of that age but there ought to be an equal number of 13 year olds or whatever. It is possible, however, that the mix in that area, depending on who is travelling on the bus for the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Local Government Fund. (27 Nov 2002)

Noel Ahern: This is the first time, since taking up my position in the Custom House, that I have had to deal with the issue of local government funding in the House, and I welcome the opportunity to do so.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Youth Services. (11 Feb 2003)

Noel Ahern: The Senator will be aware that the young people's facilities and services fund was established in 1998 as part of the Government's overall strategy to tackle drug misuse. The fund aims to assist in the development of youth facilities, including sport and recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. The...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Rail Services. (11 Feb 2003)

Noel Ahern: I thank the Senators for raising the issue. Generally, Iarnród Éireann was starved of investment for years. Significant amounts of money have been invested in recent years but initially they were spent on signalling and track renewal. The company's slogan, "We're not there yet, but we're getting there", is true. The enormous investment it has received has mostly gone into signalling and...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Rail Services. (11 Feb 2003)

Noel Ahern: The people down there are tough characters. That might happen to weak little Dubliners, but hardly to the people in question. Craven carriages, which have been in service since the 1960s, are occasionally used and weekend services are often augmented by their use. Iarnród Éireann recognises these carriages do not have the same comfort levels, but it has assured the Minister that they are...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008: Statements. (19 Feb 2003)

Noel Ahern: I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad in my capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy and update it on the progress made in implementing the strategy which was launched almost two years ago and for which my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating its implementation. While it is set to run until 2008, I am pleased that much...