Results 3,481-3,500 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I met the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, on Monday morning and I discussed the two central issues which were the staff issues with which he clearly has had a difficulty in his Department. He gave me a written statement of his position on that matter. I discussed the issue of the inducement to a staff member to which he gave me an explanation. I think I made it clear on Monday that giving...

Leaders' Questions. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If the highest standards equals putting a head on a plate and carrying it down the corridor I would not be into that because that is from old times.

Leaders' Questions. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In terms of giving somebody a chance to give his or her point of view I would follow that line. This Government has followed extremely high standards in everything it does, instead of using people's money in the wrong way. Deputy Rabbitte will appreciate that if I was to give an outline of the meeting with the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, there would not be much point in having a meeting.

Leaders' Questions. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I dealt with this issue yesterday and I repeat that Ireland cannot and will not allow any aircraft engaged in what are known as "extraordinary renditions" to land or refuel at Irish airports. That is the legal advice we received from the Attorney General. Ireland has not and will not facilitate any use of torture. We have used internationally understood terms and definition for torture for...

Leaders' Questions. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Chicago Convention, the air services administration order, the protocols used since 1959 are all in place. How we deal with these issues is a well built up practice. As controversial as these issue are, and as much concern as there is, everybody in this House and all members of the public would be deeply concerned, regardless of what countries were gone through, that any measures outside...

Irish Language. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. Is cúis áthais dom deis a bheith agam an Teach a thabhairt cothrom le dáta maidir le scéim mo Ranna faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. I am happy to have this opportunity of bringing the House up to date on my Department's scheme under the Official Languages Act. The scheme was confirmed by the Minister for Community, Rural...

Irish Language. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will do my best to follow the Deputy's question. I understand Deputy Sargent is asking about the delay between the publication of the Irish version of Bills and other documents. I am disappointed if that is the case and the Deputy correctly stated the Department of Finance has provided the resources to the Houses of the Oireachtas and to Departments to provide a translation service. A...

Irish Language. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I did understand the Deputy although I am not brilliant. Tithe an Oireachtais is a matter for the Houses but I stated there are five companies available to do work. How the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Department of Finance have deployed resources is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas. I stated what my Department is trying to do. A person who was previously in this position stated...

Irish Language. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Secretary General conducted an internal staff survey on how best to implement the scheme. While we had a core group of staff who were extremely proficient in writing, speaking and communicating in Irish, many staff members who were fairly good at Irish did not feel proficient enough to deal with it in everyday situations. Others identified themselves as moderately to very proficient. The...

Irish Language. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to the first question regarding correspondence in Irish received in my Department, several members of staff can deal with such correspondence. However, we do not have people in every section in the Department who can do so. Such correspondence is dealt with on a departmental basis, which is not perfect. We would like to get to a situation — we include the Secretary General and most...

Irish Language. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: With regard to my Department, implementation of the Act must be kept under review. Deputy Rabbitte makes a fair point about the number of people who will even read the English version of many of the documents, not to mind the Irish version, although that is not to be disrespectful in any way. Another factor that we must watch closely is the overall cost because if it comes to the point where...

Irish Language. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Subject to correction, the strategy statements of my Department were published in that way. I am not sure what document the Deputy has in front of him, but it is probably the Government mid-term review, which went to an outside company to be translated. I accept that for ease of reading, especially for people without particularly good Irish, it makes sense to have both languages on the same...

Irish Language. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I accept that cost is not always the priority especially with important documents. Deputy Rabbitte made the point that some documents were widely read but others are not. In response to a question here recently I said the cost of preparing a particular document in English was €685 but the cost of the Irish translation was just short of €17,000. In terms of some documents we should not...

Irish Language. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The sheer volume of work involved in translating everything must be kept under review. If a document is important, for example those connected with education, then it must be translated into Irish regardless of cost but the costs over a period of time are substantial and must be taken into account. We will translate everything until 2008 but we have to keep it under review.

Commemorative Events. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 11, inclusive, together. Mindful of the fundamental importance of the Rising to the establishment of the State, I believe it is appropriate that commemorative events should be organised to respectfully acknowledge the achievements and sacrifices of past generations and to inculcate an awareness and appreciation in modern Ireland of the events and issues...

Commemorative Events. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is enormously important that it be an inclusive national commemoration. Everybody, from all parties and none, should be involved in it, as happens in other countries. The Rising was a major event, regardless of the different views people may have on it. Those differences existed then as now but people from all sides of the House have forebears who were deeply involved. At one time...

Commemorative Events. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will not anticipate the recommendations of the working group on commemoration. It will prepare a plan for next year and for a centenary programme that takes account of all the suggestion made. We will leave that to the group. A number of events are planned. UCD will hold a conference on the issue over Christmas and UCC will hold a conference early in the new year. A commemorative stamp will...

Commemorative Events. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We will, of course, try to ensure the process is as inclusive as possible. It is important that everyone is involved not just in the restarting of the 1916 commemorative parade but in the events that will take place in the period ahead and that they are organised in a thoughtful and useful way. I should have mentioned that educational scholarships in the names of the leaders of the 1916...

Commemorative Events. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not want to anticipate the group's recommendations. We had a commemoration of the First Dáil and it is a matter for the House if Members wish to do more. We have also examined commemorations of other traditions this year and next year. A number of commemorative events have taken place. A stamp commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme was printed and colours of Irish...

Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Order of Business is No. 22a— Budget Statement and the financial motions by the Minister for Finance 2005, to be taken on the conclusion of questions to members of the Government. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m and the motion for the General Financial Resolution shall be moved not later than 12 midnight...