Results 4,161-4,180 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Targeted campaigns work. Last year in the case of the nursing homes, the Tánaiste highlighted the situation and there was an enormous take-up. On a number of occasions in recent years we have pointed to areas where reliefs could be availed of. It was done on the water rates issue and there was a significant take-up on that. I have no problem, in conjunction with the Department of Finance and...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: A number of amendments will be discussed on Committee Stage of the Finance Bill, today, tomorrow and on Thursday. I cannot give any commitments to change any of the thresholds, as these will be discussed by the committee. A threshold was brought in some years ago for charitable donations. In fairness, there never was a tax allowance for this area previously. It was introduced to help...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am aware of the late arrival of tax certificates. The Minister has given a report on this today to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service. I am not aware of the underpayment-overpayment of tax by those on the Houses of the Oireachtas payroll. I will ask the Department of Finance to check this. The new child care scheme which we have introduced will be ready by the due date,...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Revenue Commissioners do not exhort individuals to avail of the artists exemption tax relief scheme or other property-based tax reliefs under section 23 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. It is solicitors and accountants who discover where tax reliefs exist and produce promotional literature on the night of, and the morning after, the budget. It is also untrue to say that no information...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The expert group on mental health policy has completed its work on the preparation of a new national policy framework for the future development of mental health services and its report has been published recently. The Health Act 2004 provided for the establishment of the Health Service Executive, which has responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services,...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The work of the expert group on mental health policy has been completed and approved by the Government. It decided that the ten or 15 mental institutions around the country should be closed over the next five to seven years. The resources obtained should be transferred into the community and spent building a good and proper mental health service. This year we will spend approximately €800...

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 8, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approved by Dáil Éireann for a Council decision on the accession of the European Community to the Hague Conference on Private International Law; No. 9, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a proposal that section 17A of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 shall continue in...

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I said many times, the Government always tries to publish the legislation as early as possible. We do so with most Bills. As more than half of what is included under the 50 heads of the Bill was in the budget at the beginning of December, no one should be taken by surprise. Admittedly, the child care allowance, which is not a normal element of the Social Welfare Bill, is a new aspect....

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: With regard to the first issue raised, this proposal lays the necessary resolution before the House to extend for a further 12 months the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966. This proposal relates to the legislation passed in this House to deal with the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. The Minister concerned requires a mechanism similar to the resolutions contained in that...

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Abbotstown sports campus development authority Bill will be published in a few days' time. The judicial council Bill will be ready later this year but not during this session. The impounding of the non-national registered vehicles will be covered in the road transport Bill.

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It will be before the summer recess. My colleagues advise that the report on the schools is being examined and will be published. I take it that will happen shortly.

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We will raise it with an tAire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta.

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has committed to a total examination of the present legislation and the process behind it. I understand that is almost complete as I heard the Minister answering questions on it at a recent meeting. I am not sure whether legislation is required to do that. The Minister is bringing forward proposals and it may also require legislation.

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: To an outside agency.

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am not certain but I got the impression from the Minister that he could bring forward these proposals without legislation, although I may be incorrect. One issue under consideration is whether there is a better and more efficient way of dealing with the register. The Deputy knows my view on that.

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The charities Bill will be introduced later this year. The Deputy knows he cannot convince me to bring in nuclear——

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The European Greens will not force me to bring in nuclear——

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will do the Deputy a favour, I will not answer his question.

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will tell the Deputy why afterwards.

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy was made aware several months ago why there was a delay in revising this legislation. He knows the answer to the question. The legislation is delayed.