Results 2,021-2,040 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Unless there is some legal or privacy issue of which I am not aware, I will check the report by Mr. Martin Hynes and make myself aware of the case. There have been substantial improvements in the carer's allowance in every year of this Government.

Leaders' Questions. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: With a means test. There are means tests in our system right across the board. The disregard has been significantly improved. From today, the Government has brought in a respite grant of €1,000.

Leaders' Questions. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to Deputy Rabbitte, from today a new respite grant is payable, regardless of means, to 33,000 people who are carers, which will be very beneficial and of significant help. As I stated, the Government is determined on this issue. On home help, the Deputy is correct in stating that people were paid a pittance. We now pay €115 million to people.

Leaders' Questions. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We have allocated significant——

Leaders' Questions. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is because we were not able to get home helps. We are paying €10 per hour.

Leaders' Questions. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We were not able to get people. We are now paying €10 per hour.

Leaders' Questions. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We did not have to pay the minimum wage; the Government paid the minimum wage.

Leaders' Questions. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There are two central issues in this regard. First, we must try to achieve conformity of our systems, better inspections and, under the existing legislation, make as much progress in this regard as possible, to avoid the kind of disgraceful situation at Leas Cross. Second, we must work to introduce a properly resourced and funded inspectorate, not only for nursing homes but also for child...

Leaders' Questions. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Thankfully, day care facilities in most of the former health board areas have very good accommodation. I have visited many health care units throughout the country, new and old, which are well staffed and provide recreational, medical and, in many cases, meal services during the daytime. These services are being extended every year. The Government is spending €1 billion per year on the care...

Leaders' Questions. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have no argument with continuing the provision of day care centres. As I stated, we spend €1 billion annually on the care of the elderly. Every year, we have increased resources in this area and opened more care centres and community centres. Many of these are helped by excellent voluntary community workers, who raise funds and give assistance, sometimes by providing land. All of these...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The remit of the commission of investigation is set out in the terms of reference which were published in Iris Oifigiúil on 13 May 2005. The estimated legal fees, salaries and other administrative costs for the commission were also published in Iris Oifigiúil on the same date. The estimated total cost is €604,880 for a six...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The report on Seamus Ludlow is now with the Government and we are checking what must be redacted for legal reasons. However, as with all other reports, we must try to avoid changing anything that is not absolutely necessary. The Deputy is correct in that there is one remaining report which contains a number of issues. That will be available this month, or at least by the summer break, and...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As per the Official Report, I said some weeks ago in the House that I would make another attempt. I should not be pessimistic but the Deputy correctly reads my mind. I will try once more, but will not do so again after that. I will then seek advice as to how we should proceed. My reason for being pessimistic is not because of Prime Minister Blair or any of the British Secretaries of State and...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have always followed the wishes of the Oireachtas in this matter since establishing an investigation some years ago and have kept track of the issues since. It was the Oireachtas which stated that we should look to the European Court of Human Rights if we do not get anywhere with regard to the matter. I wrote to Prime Minister Blair before the election and outlined that I would pursue the...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Most of our discussion was not about this issue. I focussed my attention on the Finucane inquiry. The Inquiries Bill was passed through Westminster before the election. As Deputy Rabbitte said, it is not in line with the Weston Park inquiry or with what some eminent members of the British Judiciary think is acceptable or with what Judge Corry stated in his letter. I have continued to pursue...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As I said, I have not met Prime Minister Blair since I put that on the record of the House. I met the Secretary of State and made our views clear again but I am waiting until we have that meeting. It might be a few weeks before I have that meeting, which is on European matters, although there may not be a meeting on Northern Ireland.

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is only when I finish that process that I will seek the Attorney General's advice but if we get nowhere on this final attempt, I will pursue that line.

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The estimated cost is €600,000.

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The €600,000 is the estimated cost for legal fees, salaries and administrative costs for the commission for a six month period. That is for the commission headed by Mr. McEntee SC.

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (1 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The figure does not include any third party costs that may be awarded by the commission. Section 24 of the Commission of Investigation Act makes it clear that there is no absolute entitlement to pay third party costs. Such costs will only be payable on foot of direction from the commission as provided for in that section. It is a matter for the sole chairman of the commission. It is not...