Results 2,421-2,440 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Official Engagements. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Is that what they were doing?

Official Engagements. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy's friends from ETA almost damaged a State car, which would have cost more than €3,000. The resources for setting up useful Cabinet meetings with groups of people are low. We have held such meetings with farming groups, chambers of commerce groups and unemployed action groups, We have gone to Knocknaheeney and to working class areas such as referred to by Deputy Sargent, where...

Official Engagements. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 38, inclusive, together. The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, visited Dublin on Thursday, 30 June. I had a friendly and comprehensive meeting with the President which covered the broad range of issues on the European agenda including the European Constitution, enlargement and the ongoing negotiations on the financial...

Official Engagements. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: With regard to overseas development aid, we have tripled the amount of aid. What this country has done is enormously appreciated by all sectors. I am aware the NGOs in this country continue to press for further funding but groups such as the World Bank and UNAIDS appreciate what this country has contributed. It is untied aid. Some argue that a few other countries contribute untied aid but...

Official Engagements. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: One never knows. An interesting fact about ODA is that in bad times one gets there quicker. That is what happened in recent years when the economy grew by 10% and 12%.

Official Engagements. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is not. All of the groups who deal with ODA understand that well. They understand matters of hard cash and that this country has moved from an amount of approximately €100 million not that many years ago to a firm commitment of €750 million.

Official Engagements. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not agree with having a legislative base. If we travel down that road a future Government or Governments or this House will be nailed down to figures in many areas. I assure the House that alongside the figure of 0.7 are other groups with other figures and they would want a similar commitment. Governments should honour it as best they can. I was disappointed we could not achieve what we...

Official Engagements. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We did.

Official Engagements. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It went from €147 million to €775 million.

Official Engagements. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On church-State dialogue, in the context of the constitution for Europe, Christian churches and non-confessional groups on a European basis requested meaningful and open dialogue. It is considered that the French and some other countries do it well. It involves all of the churches within a State in open meetings without any being in a special position. Churches across religions and...

Official Engagements. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: From my discussions with this Pontiff I would state he will not make too many trips.

Official Engagements. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On Deputy Ó Caoláin's question about the services directive, it was withdrawn in its current form. There is not a draft directive. It has gone back for reworking to take account of many issues, including some raised by the Deputy. President Barroso said reformulation of the directive would allow people to consult, and that is what is happening. The meeting with ICTU and many other bodies is...

Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Order of Business shall be No. 13, motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimate [Vote 31]; No. 14, motion re referral of Supplementary Estimate [Vote 31] to select committee; No. 19, statements on Northern Ireland; and No. 20, Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit...

Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The health (nursing homes) (amendment) Bill is scheduled for this session.

Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I remember it. The health Bill provides for the establishment of the health information and equality authority and the Irish social services inspectorate on a statutory basis. We are now told that it will be in the new year before the legislation is ready. I do not know if it can be brought forward.

Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There was a three-hour debate yesterday in committee, I have dealt with this issue today and it is a matter on the Adjournment tonight.

Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have no problem with that.

Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The charities regulation Bill is substantive and will involve the statute law revision and restatement in addition to legislative reform provisions. Work is proceeding as speedily as possible and it is being given priority within the Department. The other Bill is being included in the planning and development bill of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The national development plan goes up to 2006. The Minister stated that he will set out a clear blueprint this year of what will happen after that.

Order of Business. (28 Sep 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It will provide a legislative basis for the repayment scheme which will provide appropriate safeguards in regard to payments made under the scheme to vulnerable individuals in care. It will also aim to protect payments made to individuals under the scheme. We hope this will be dealt with by Christmas.