Results 261-280 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

European Council Meetings: Statements. (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I chaired the European Council meeting held in Brussels on 25 and 26 March. I was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy. The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Roche, also attended. I apologise for the absence from the House of the Minister for Foreign...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny referred to three issues. If it proves possible to reach a conclusion prior to the European Parliament elections, I would be pleased. The greatest difficulty we face in terms of moving forward relates to the dates for changes in government in various states. The new Spanish Government has made it clear that it will not take office before 20 April. However, we will engage with the...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I thank Deputy Quinn for his remarks. Approximately three hours was dedicated to this matter at the summit, which was far more than was allocated in the past two years. We scheduled the business on the Thursday so that most of Friday could be given over to the economic issue. Deputy Quinn is correct. The concept of Antonio Guiteras' plan four years ago was to ensure heads of State gave time...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I think there is, in terms of co-ordination. I do not like the concept of just a competitiveness commissioner. Everyone knows how that will turn out. I have no problem with competitiveness leading to a better economy and investment but the social dialogue issue would get lost in that. Last week, I met with the employers, unions and conferences. They will always have more resources and will...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I thank Deputy Gormley for the constructive role he has played in this process. We retain elements of rotation. However, the European Union is approaching the stage when no single country, big or small, can manage the full range of business. In the IGC, we are working with 28 members, the Council secretariat and the Commission, and the range is simply enormous. Macedonia lodged its papers...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 to 205, inclusive, together. The cost of maintaining the Office of the Attorney General as a whole in 2002 and 2003 amounted to €8,669,000 and €10,085,000, respectively. There are no separate figures available for the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel which is a constituent part of the Office of the Attorney General. As I indicated to the Deputy in...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Apr 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I am pleased to be here today to contribute to this important debate. There is apparent agreement that there is clear and systematic abuse of Ireland's constitutional right to citizenship. This is a problem. What we need to do, in a rational way, is to identify a solution to this problem. That is what this referendum is about. It is obvious that citizenship is a fundamental aspect of our...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Apr 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I am aware of recent criticism about this proposed referendum and the related legislative proposal. However, opponents of this change have failed to recognise the views of the Constitution Review Group. In its report of May 1996 the Constitution Review Group addressed the issue of citizenship and made a recommendation that the acquisition of Irish citizenship should not be provided for by the...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Apr 2004)

Bertie Ahern: What more suitable day exists than one which ensures maximum participation in the democratic process of voting — the date of an election? The choice of 11 June is thus both reasonable and fair. Our decision to hold this referendum occurred against a background of looking at other possible solutions and for some time we have examined potential legislative solutions but none of those was...

Commissions of Inquiry. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. I understand Mr. Justice Barron will report next, at the beginning of June, on the Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973, together with the Clones, Belturbet and Pettigo bombings of 28 December 1972 and four other bombing incidents that took place before May 1974, as well as the murder of Brid Carr in November 1971 and the murders of...

Commissions of Inquiry. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The reply states that work is well advanced on the second report and some contacts remain to be made. While I do not have a date, I assume it is not too far in the future. I understand he has most of the drafting done and he just has some outstanding contacts to make. That will cover a number of the cases. It will cover the two bombings in Dublin 1972 and 1973. It will also cover the Clones,...

Commissions of Inquiry. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: In the first instance, the Government has not considered the report formally. We have stated we will await the Oireachtas debate on this issue. It must be debated in both the Dáil and Seanad. In the report of the sub-committee, the work of which I commended, it is stated that once the committees of investigation legislation is passed through the Houses, the sub-committee will be in a...

Commissions of Inquiry. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Whether Mr. Justice Barron will make himself available is a matter for his consideration. As Deputy Kenny said, he has been quite helpful in coming forward to the sub-committee, answering questions and elaborating as much as he possibly can. I am sure he will do that again. Everyone who looks at these issues will say there are other matters which should be examined. If this moves to another...

Commissions of Inquiry. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I do not have an up-to-date position on that matter but I can get one for the Deputy. As I understand from replies to cases I referred to the commission, work is ongoing. I will obtain a note for the Deputy in that regard. On the other issue raised by the Deputy, it will be a matter for the House following debate and the Government's consideration in terms of the way forward. It is the...

Commissions of Inquiry. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy raised three issues. I outlined, in reply to Deputy Rabbitte, the position regarding the first report. It must first be debated in the Dáil and Seanad and then by the Government in terms of recommendations and processes for moving on. That includes the full substance of the first report. His second report deals with events which occurred before 17 May 1974. It covers the Dublin...

Commissions of Inquiry. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: That recommendation was made after the debate in this House and it goes back to Government. If that recommendation is adopted, the report recommends that the matter be taken up by a committee of investigation. We must await the examination of the report in the House and by the Government.

Commissions of Inquiry. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I hope it will happen shortly.

Commissions of Inquiry. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, is the answer to Deputy Gregory's first question. I keep in regular touch with individuals from the Justice for the Forgotten group. I also have formal meetings with the group. Like Deputy Gregory and all Members of the House, I would like to see a full and complete end of this matter. We have agreed a process for that. The report must be debated in the Dáil and Seanad and then...

Commissions of Inquiry. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: As stated, the response from the Secretary of State, Mr. Paul Murphy, is that Mr. Justice Barron has been given all the information the British Government has. I do not think the British Government has considered yet the recommendation in the report by Mr. Justice Barron. A good reason for that is that the Government has not yet done that. However, the British Government is aware of it and...

Commissions of Inquiry. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I answered that question when I stated the report will be debated by both Houses of the Oireachtas before it goes to Government. That process is set out in the findings of the committee. The other reports should be processed in the same way. Ultimately, we will have to consider how best to bring the matter to finality, as Deputy Gregory stated. In my view this is as good as any other way,...