Results 3,561-3,580 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business (Resumed). (8 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Can I make my statement on the budget now?

Order of Business (Resumed). (8 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Can I please make my statement on the budget?

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed). (8 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: This is the budget of a successful economy which continues to outperform practically all the other economies in the developed world. The budget is designed to enhance social solidarity and improve the quality of life for young families and older people. It is constructed in the spirit of social partnership that has served this country well for almost 20 years. It continues the ambitious...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed). (8 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Enabling all our citizens to live life with dignity is a commitment we have made in the national anti-poverty strategy and in our agreements with the social partners. We are taking practical and effective steps to recognise and support the invaluable role of carers. We are also taking the opportunity to make more flexible some of the conditions which apply to the receipt of social welfare...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed). (8 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There would be no road at all under Deputy Kenny.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed). (8 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: To block a budget debate.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed). (8 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: That is more rubbish. I hope the Deputy has something more constructive to say on the budget than this nonsense.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed). (8 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We will tell them that.

Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. Reflecting the consideration at the European Council during discussions on the draft treaty and conscious of the evolved change in our society, the Government considered that it would be of value to institute an open, transparent and regular dialogue with churches and non-confessional organisations. Accordingly, my Department...

Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy will recall that this was to be part of the European constitutional provisions. Unfortunately the constitution did not go ahead because of the defeats in the early summer in the Netherlands and France, so that matter is in abeyance. Notwithstanding that, we engaged in dialogue and reached agreement, having consulted with all the churches and all the faith groups. There is a long...

Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I would not see an issue. I would consider an issue like that in so far as there is the normal dialogue between church and State, but in this case there is also a legal question and the legal process is involved. In answer to the Deputy's question, there is no proposal before Government to review the arrangement on the compensation to those hurt people who were affected. The State was...

Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As I stated in my reply to Deputy Rabbitte, those issues are dealt with in the normal course of discussions between the churches and Departments, in this case, the Department of Education and Science. This issue will need to be discussed and debated with the churches. A number of new religions are now being practised in our country because we have a large immigrant population, including...

Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There are a number of questions in that. The proposal is being brought to fruition. The Government signed off on it in June and made the churches aware of the proposals, and they made some response. The churches have an arrangement — traditionally, the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, Presbyterians and Methodists, and in the past few years the Jewish community — where if...

Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not think there is anything secret in it. It will probably be published, but I am not sure of the date. All this has happened in discussions with them.

Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the Deputy's first point, I will engage with all churches, whether they are Catholic, Protestant, Educate Together, Muslim or any other group——

Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: No. In terms of education I am speaking of any group that provides education to children — it does not matter which one. I am the politician who has dealt most with such groups since they first started up in this country, as Deputy Burton knows. On the other issue raised, I have no difficulty with people holding alternative views or with their not being members of any church. It is entirely...

Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Correct. Deputy Joe Higgins asked for my view, which I will give. I totally respect his view and he has just said he respects mine. An empty secularism that denies the importance of religious belief and practice may, in the wrong circumstances, give rise to an oppressive public culture. Fortunately, we have a political and civic culture here that holds no institution above the law and...

Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: "Yes" is the answer to those questions. On the idea of the constitutional amendment, we made a decision earlier in the year, in spite of the fact that the draft constitution was defeated in some countries and is in abeyance at this stage. The idea was that the legitimate role of all of the churches and faith communities in public life would be acknowledged and that the participatory principle...

Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, I did. I explained to the Pope that we were continuing with our position on the constitution. Needless to say, he was very seized of what was happening at European level because the church was deeply involved in discussions in that regard. This proposal moved on from a period when some countries would not recognise the concept of Christianity or God in the preamble to the constitution....

Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have already explained it. I said that an empty secularism which denies the importance of religious belief and practice is not good and can create difficulties. In terms of development and international issues, when churches wish to put forward their views this would be a good source of dialogue. Some churches are very involved, and the dean of the diplomatic corps here is the papal nuncio....