Results 2,961-2,980 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If Deputy Rabbitte would like me to give all the details of the plan in two or three minutes, he knows I cannot do so. We outlined the details yesterday. I repeat the point that the Department of Transport in the work leading up to the plan with all the relevant agencies looked in detail at the proposals we believed it would be necessary to deal with as a priority. We did this on every single...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will give the relevant figure again. The official figure on what has been produced in terms of buses in this country is 1,550 between——

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: This country, which the Opposition is so happy to knock, has one of the most modern fleets of buses in Europe because the Government has replaced them. It is a much more modern fleet of buses.

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As I outlined, we have successfully introduced a very good national development plan. It is not the case, as one Deputy indicated, that we have not completed projects. The opening of 185 km of motorway, including 66 km this year, ranks very highly by international standards. We have built a massive 385 km of new dual carriageway and single carriageway in recent years and have bypasses in many...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am proud of this land and what we are achieving. It is a pity that so far not one member of the Opposition has been able to accept the benefit of what CIE, the National Roads Authority and all the other transport bodies are successfully doing to improve the transport system. People outside the House want to see this plan realised. The Government is doing this. We will not go back to using...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have answered the Irish Ferries point three weeks in a row, but I will briefly recap by saying that the issue is before the Labour Court. As Deputy Ó Caoláin stated, we have examined our legislation at both European and national level. Last week Deputy Rabbitte also made some proposals in this regard. We must see if there is a way of dealing with ships registered offshore that endeavour...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not believe I misheard Deputy Ó Caoláin, but if I did, I apologise. The question he asked was about IBEC in the context of An Post and I said that was normal practice.

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will not argue, but I thought the Deputy said the opposite. As regards Irish Ferries, I am on record to the effect that I thought that was an ill-advised position for IBEC to take. In fairness to the director general of IBEC, he changed the confederation's position on that about three or four weeks ago, which I certainly appreciated. I believe IBEC should not have taken the line it did. I...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Every Minister involved in such disputes is attacked by both sides, and the Minister, Deputy Dempsey's position is the same. He has been working hard to try to find resolutions for the issues involved and will continue to do so.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. The total costs incurred by my Department in respect of this tribunal from 1997 to 30 September 2005 is €21,364,879. This includes fees paid to counsel for the tribunal and administration costs incurred to date since its establishment. Total payments made to the legal team were €16,052,473 up to 30 September, 2005. As regards...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy has asked a number of questions. The tribunal states it will finish its work by the end of June next year. Given the unforeseen circumstances as regards the litigation of parties involved and other matters, it remains confident that it will finish by next June. The new legislation will be in place by then. That means we will automatically move to the new fees arrangements. We have...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the first point, it is true that there have been a number of unforeseen circumstances. The extensive nature of the terms of reference, ongoing inquiries and litigation by parties have contributed to this. Nonetheless, the tribunal believes that its work can be finished entirely by 30 June 2006. The Attorney General, who has been notified of the reasons for the extension, has told the...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will try to be clear. An extension was sought for the reasons outlined in my reply and reiterated to Deputies Sargent and Rabbitte. It is hoped the tribunal will complete its work by the end of June. The new fee rate will come in after that.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Yes. However, I have given the reasons for the change in this regard. Due to the extensive nature of its terms of reference, its ongoing inquiries and the litigation of parties involved, the tribunal has asked for additional time to complete its work. I can make no comment or judgment in regard to any of the tribunal's decisions. Neither do I know what costs will be given by the sole member....

Tribunals of Inquiry. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: This extension was requested by the sole member and it his belief that the tribunal will end on that date. As the end approaches, he has a clearer picture of the work remaining to be done. I have never asked the tribunal for interim reports because its terms of reference were devised by the Oireachtas and it would be inappropriate for me to do so.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Subject to correction, I understand no interim report was provided by the Moriarty tribunal. In regard to fees, the former Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, believed the proposed system was fair, based on the workload and commitment of those working at the various tribunals. The Attorney General, on behalf of the Government, consulted them in agreeing a date on which the new fee...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: This issue does not arise directly from the question. I raised it in the reply because it was appropriate to do so. The Government only made the decision on this today. There was no lobbying on this issue. The original dates were fixed by conversation between the Attorney General and the ten chairmen of the tribunals on dates of completion. If there is some new work under the terms of...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: That would be entirely unfair both to the legal team and to Mr. Justice Moriarty. I have my own views about the tribunals and trying to get them all to the date but where there is additional work, litigation or other issues to hold up a tribunal, particularly if this tribunal is to be finished next summer, that would be an unfair interpretation to put on it.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: With regard to the legislation, the new tribunals of inquiry Bill will be passed, which will mean that when work comes to an end they should be able to move on this. All the other tribunals are still working to that deadline. It is not a question that this is just being rolled over but the chairman has given a fixed date to end the tribunal and to deal with all aspects. If that does not...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (2 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Definitely not.