Results 3,361-3,380 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

European Council Meetings. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: They are necessary to deal with the issues. We must reach a conclusion on it.

European Council Meetings. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the first question, until leadership issues are resolved in Germany and Poland, which is a large and significant country, not too much business will be done. The British Government had to deal with that ongoing situation throughout its Presidency. The French, for numerous reasons, are not focusing on any major issue at present. Those reasons include their own difficulties, the aftermath of...

European Council Meetings. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We did not discuss those issues at the meeting, which was on international trade and business.

European Council Meetings. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I raised the issue of Irish Ferries and we have examined what can be done on a European and international basis. The EU has not agreed regulations on this, mainly because many international ferries coming in from large ports of the world are importing into Europe and exporting, but are not bound by conditions there. It is not seen as practical to control them. This is not inter-Europe trade...

European Council Meetings. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: This has been examined and I do not see the European Union introducing, certainly in the short term, a regime to control this. I do not see it as something that will prove practical. It has been examined many times but I do not think it will resolve itself.

European Council Meetings. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy is a few months behind because we joined with others in making sure the services directive did not go through in the form that he fears. We stopped the process from going ahead in early summer. The proposed services directive, which was withdrawn then, is under consideration in the European Parliament, where hundreds of amendments have been tabled. We are awaiting the Parliament's...

European Council Meetings. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: With regard to Deputy Kenny's question on renewable energy, 13% of our energy is currently generated from renewable resources. We have progressed and pushed the wind energy agenda and we will reach our targets. The Government is very supportive of wind energy and there are many initiatives——

European Council Meetings. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If we can get co-operation on the issue, we will progress further. I do not know if there has been any initiative with regard to paedophilia. I will check, but Deputy Kenny is correct in so far as it is a problem everywhere because the individuals concerned move around. I will raise that matter at the meeting. In response to Deputy Sherlock, compensation is an issue. However, we have argued...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On behalf of Fianna Fáil and on my own behalf I extend deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our late colleague, Liam Lawlor, on the sad occasion of his tragic death on 22 October. During recent weeks our thoughts have also been with Liam's wife, Hazel, his daughter, Ciara, and sons, Niall, Gerald and Shane. In that time Liam's family have borne their private grief with enormous...

Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 26, statements on the current situation in the European Union, including the treaty establishing a constitution for Europe; and No. 15, motion re Book of Estimates, 2006 (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings of No. 26 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 5 p.m. today, and the...

Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I understand it is a short Bill and the Minister would like to get it passed prior to Christmas.

Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the issue of the road safety authority, I gave the information yesterday on the only Bill I had listed. I suggest Deputy Sargent table a question to the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, and pursue it in that way. On the matter of the register of persons who are considered unsafe to work with children, what the Deputy has said is correct. Initially we required the Assembly in the...

Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The health Bill and the nurses (amendment) Bill will come before the House in 2006.

Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will check the matter of the EU directive. I asked the Minister to contact Deputy Quinn in regard to the building control Bill because he had raised the issue. I understand the Bill will come before Cabinet but it will not be published until early in the next session. I spoke to the Minister about it again yesterday but I will let the Deputy know the implications of the directive.

Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It will be published in early 2006.

Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It will be published in 2006.

Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It will be published this session.

Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Abbotstown pool was used for the Special Olympics where there were many severely disabled people. There are some extremely disabled people and the Government has given money to the National Rehabilitation Hospital to build a pool for those people.

Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will raise that issue with the Minister. No Bill is listed but I will make the Minister aware of the Deputy's thoughts.

Order of Business. (23 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Next year.