Results 3,361-3,380 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Are they closed already?

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: The Deputy should try harder.

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: This side of the House welcomes the opportunity provided for by the Bill to consider the important issues of participation in our democracy, including what is the ideal day of the week to hold an election. Last night, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, set out the pros and cons of choosing different days of the week for polling day. Polls have...

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: From my experience with my own children, many Dublin students returning from colleges outside the county do not come home as such. I never know when I will see my children.

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: They certainly would not come home at 8 o'clock in the evening to vote. They do not come home at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. on a Friday night to vote. Many Dublin people seem to go down the country for the weekend or do something else. They are not at home and are not dedicated enough to go out to vote even if we open the polls at 7 a.m. The notion of holding the poll on a Friday seems great from...

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: These improvements, which were assisted by a major awareness campaign last autumn, will result in many more people being able to exercise their right at the coming election. The Minister has already set out the important work of the task force for active citizenship which reported in March and the arrangements for implementation of the recommendations. No matter who forms the next...

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Students do not go to college for ten months of the year. It is not that long since the Deputy was there.

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: The election will not be for another three to five weeks. We still have time. By the time it comes, one will find that most students are gone on holiday. There is nothing in this Bill other than suggesting particular days. There is no doubt that a particular day would benefit some but upset others. There is no agreement on the day.

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Half the Dubs go to Meath and other places.

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: It depends on who the Deputy is talking about. I would nearly have a go at bank holiday Monday.

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Does the Deputy have a running mate?

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: I said they left at weekends to enjoy the fruits of the Celtic tiger.

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: It does.

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Is this a debate on a finance Bill?

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: The Deputy is speaking against his own Bill.

Written Answers — Charities Legislation: Charities Legislation (25 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: A key provision of the Charities Bill 2007 is the establishment and maintenance of a register of charities which will be accessible to the public. Registration will be mandatory for all charities operating within the State, irrespective of where the charity is based. It will be an offence for a body not on the register to claim that it is a charity or to operate or fund-raise in the State. In...

Written Answers — Inspection Certificates: Inspection Certificates (26 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: An inspection, with a view to issuing a Certificate of Reasonable Cost if in order, has been arranged and will be carried out within the next two weeks.

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (26 Apr 2007)

Noel Ahern: Where a loan for the purchase of an affordable house is sourced from a private lender, the options for mortgage protection insurance would be a matter for discussion between the borrower and the lending institution. In the case of a local authority loan, the cost of mortgage protection insurance is met by way of an additional charge to the rate of interest charged on individual loans. One of...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (26 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: A notice seeking expressions of interest from property owners or developers wishing to provide sites for new facilities in the Tralee area for both An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service was advertised earlier this year. The Commissioners of Public Works are, at present, considering the proposals which were received in response to the advertisement, as well as a number of other options....

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (26 Jun 2007)

Noel Ahern: There are no plans to relocate the existing driving test centre at Circular Road, Roscommon. The existing test centre is due to be upgraded shortly and works will include improved toilet facilities.