Results 3,061-3,080 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister for Foreign Affairs has been actively involved in this matter. If a question were tabled to him, he could report to the House. A question would be better than a debate.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: This matter will have to be raised with the committee and I will do so.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will raise the matter with the Minister.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The latter requires primary legislation because it is an amendment of the Competition Act and the Government is keen to complete this prior to Christmas, with the co-operation of the House. It would make sense to do this quickly.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It cannot be rescinded until the legislation is passed. Primary legislation is required.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Yes. That is why it makes sense to do this quickly.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister is publishing the full report and I am sure he will be anxious to——

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not have a date for the animal health Bill but the heads have been approved.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have not committed to that.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There are no proposals to decentralise any section of my Department or any of the bodies or agencies operating under its aegis. A significant part of the Central Statistics Office is already located in Cork. Of the bodies under the aegis of my Department, the National Economic and Social Development office is the only one situated on the north side of Dublin, at Parnell Square.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy is as follows: Year Training Translation Advertising Bilingual Signage Other Total â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ 2002 700 11,280.60 4,975.14 None None 16,955.74 2003 None 28,245.01 2,179 None None 30,424.01 2004 None 40,673.03 2,787 None None 43,460.03 Total 700 80,198.64 9,941.14 None None 98,839.78 The...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am presently considering the most appropriate way of marking the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising next year, with particular emphasis on how this may present an opportunity to put in place, over the following decade, a wide-ranging programme of activities and events in the lead up to the centenary commemorations. I propose to enter into discussions with party leaders shortly on how these...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Details of membership of bodies established under the aegis of my Department are not held by reference to any disabilities. Members of State boards and bodies under the aegis of my Department are appointed through well established nominating procedures, having regard both to the remit of the boards and bodies and, consequently, the competencies and skills expected of their members. In many...

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not have details on the prices, but if those differentials are as Deputy Kenny states, they are excessive. From the Government perspective, this is an issue for the Competition Authority and it should already be examining it. This may be an issue partly as a result of the significant resources we are now putting into the disability area.

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Some €643 million has been invested into support services for people with disabilities in the past few years. It would be regrettable if investment in the health boards, now the HSE, and resources for additional places, equipment and voluntary agencies resulted in excessive prices because of the extra money and opportunity to sell equipment. Deputy Kenny makes the point that the Competition...

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The relatively new Act that established the Competition Authority gives the authority significant powers to examine any possible cartel in any sector of the economy. I do not know whether the authority is examining the matter raised by the Deputy. I am aware, however, that every cent the State spends on disability services needs to be categorised by the relevant Department. That is being...

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I hope it was not wasted.

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Government has spent an additional €2.1 billion on services for people with intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities, autism and mental illnesses.

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Over €500 million has been spent on the education of children with special needs. Grant aid of €56 million has been allocated to meet the cost of developing accommodation facilities for people with disabilities. Some €63 million has been invested in services for such people through FÁS programmes.

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It used to be the case that hardly any money was spent on people with disabilities. Now that we have invested our resources in this vulnerable sector of Irish life, we are getting value for money. If some people in the sector are involved in abuses, the matter should be examined. I repeat the point I made earlier — the vast majority of people with disabilities are covered by medical cards....