Results 3,681-3,700 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am not sure how that will be handled. As the Deputy is aware, there have been discussions on forthcoming developments on climate change and the wider energy policy, which is the broad issue with which the interdepartmental committee has been dealing. Discussions have taken place on the first phase of emissions trading and on the carbon tax.

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Two major policy initiatives next year will help to determine our wider energy policy strategy in the medium term. The review of national climate change and the energy policy review are going on within the Department, both on the carbon credits and the EU emissions trading scheme. They are listed for discussion at the committee in the early part of the new year. I will not go into detail on...

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Regarding that general question, we recently spelled out the ongoing work on social and affordable housing. Great resources have been put into social housing. The Deputy is correct that the subsidy to the private sector in housing is extremely large.

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I recently said in the House and elsewhere that if one were doing this on a business project and wished to capitalise the amount being invested over time, which is what we would do were we not politicians——

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Perhaps it should be looked at in that way, but one is attacked as soon as one mentions it. If one took that sum, how many houses would one build on a ten-year strategy of capitalising the amount? Having said that, this year we have continued in the traditional manner and put significant increases into social housing and the affordable housing initiatives. However, it is a costly way to proceed.

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: They have examined what is happening, but I do not believe that there are any innovative methods on the horizon. What is on the horizon is that we must invest more resources in social housing. That is happening, but one will never achieve the speed that one might wish. Local authorities have been hard pressed this year. Questions were asked here the other day, and they were criticised for not...

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 19, the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005 — Second Stage (resumed); No. 12, the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005 — Financial Resolution; No. 13, motion re establishment of a commission of investigation into the handling of allegations of child sexual abuse against members of the clergy operating under the aegis of the Catholic...

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Financial Resolution on the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005 is required; it must be brought in. We have given the legislation additional time. The reason we wanted to have it passed today was to allow the committee sit in January when the Minister is prepared to give a lot of time to deal with the Bill. He has already made provision for an extensive debate and detail on...

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The energy (miscellaneous provisions) Bill is down for the beginning of the session. The capecity of the electricity system to meet demand is always under review. Difficulties can appear when industry operates at full capacity and cold weather arises, particularly during the early evenings. No immediate concerns have been voiced about the forthcoming season. However, there is always a threat...

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will check with the Minister.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Nobody is happy with the current situation pertaining to Ms O'Loughlin. Late last night and early this morning I checked the possibilities with regard to the Morning Star hostel. Ms O'Loughlin's life has been a very unfortunate one. However, she also resided in a listed institution for a period and it is perhaps in that area that we should look.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: A road traffic Bill will be included in the new testing Bill.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: This session will continue until the next session. That is the definition.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The energy (miscellaneous provisions) Bill will be published in this session. All the other Bills are for 2006.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have already pointed out to the leader of the Labour Party the difficulties with its maritime legislation. With regard to the other issue raised by the Deputy and in the context of social partnership talks, I wrote a letter to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions about the Government's desire to assist in legislation on the issue.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of business improvement districts Bill have been approved. The legislation is yet to be drafted and it will be late 2006 before the legislation will be prepared.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The alcohol products Bill has been deferred pending the voluntary agreements that have been reached with the alcohol and advertising industries. We are holding it off until we see how the voluntary agreements work.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Something similar to that has already happened. The Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, has raised these issues at European level.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Many things could be done if there was co-operation.

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The legislation will be published this session. Practically every day I have to define what this session is. It runs until the start of the next session.