Results 5,101-5,120 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I understand the Bill is before the Seanad today and if it is finished there, I presume it can be taken in this House next week, but that is a matter for the party Whips.

Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Tuesday, 13 June is a long time away. I am glad to see that the committees are scheduling their time because the problem with them is that they are usually all over the place.

Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I could talk for some time about the difficulties in getting legislation through.

Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I agree with Deputy McManus's first point and it is our intention to get the Bill through, but it is not ready yet. It will be another two weeks before it comes before the Government, but it is important and, if possible, we will try to get it through before the summer recess. The Government has not yet received the report on Leas Cross. The HSE, I understand, has the report.

Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I mentioned earlier, the heads of that Bill will be published for consultation later this year, but it is unlikely that the Bill will be through this year.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am aware of recent media reports claiming that members of the Ulster Defence Regiment were members of loyalist paramilitary groups. The Government's concerns regarding collusion are long-standing. The Government are also mindful of the reports of Judge Barron in which this issue is addressed in respect of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and other cases. The cooperation of the British...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There are no European Directives awaiting implementation by my Department.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I have not employed any Advisers, Assistants or other staff since January 2005.

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, correctly said that the school bus fleet has had a good record over the years. What Deputy Kenny said is also correct, last year has been worrying. There have been five incidents and in two of those children were killed. In another incident, children got out of the back of a bus and yesterday there could have been an enormous tragedy. We must count...

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Earlier in the year the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy de Valera, outlined the procedures that will be introduced. Obviously, if seat belts are introduced for children on school buses, it will affect seating capacity on the buses and some children will not be able to travel on them. In the incident in which a child fell out of the back of the bus, there...

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Following consideration of the report prepared by the advisers appointed by the Ministers for Transport and Finance on the investment transaction of Aer Lingus, the Ministers agreed proposals for the implementation of the investment transaction which were presented at a Government meeting in April. The investment transaction is to be implemented on the following basis. In line with the...

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte's short-term and long-term memory are not good this morning. As I said earlier, June was never put forward as a date. The Government would be totally irresponsible to go to the market without the advice of our financial experts in this area. We will go to the market when the time is right based on the advice we get. It is still the view it can happen this year. I am surprised...

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am glad those individuals went on to prove their worth in the financial marketplace but at least they did not do it by taking the assets away from Aer Lingus.

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I cannot understand Deputy Seán Ryan's logic that a management buy-out was better than an injection of capital. Why does he oppose the trade unionists in Aer Lingus? This is wrong.

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The State will retain a minimum stake of 25.1%. We will make our decisions based on the advice we get on stock market conditions. We will do this correctly to allow Aer Lingus to develop in future. Discussions on pension funds and related staff issues are ongoing, the Minister for Transport continues to have meetings with the trade unions.

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Why is the Labour Party against the Minister for Transport meeting the trade unions on pension issues?

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Why has it abandoned the staff of Aer Lingus? I will have to ask Deputy Glennon to assure the workers that we still care about them in this House. He will assure them that we will take their interests in pensions and other issues into account.

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It would be good if Deputy Sargent read the 40 minute speech I made in Druid's Glen; quite apparently he did not. He has made one remark about what I said afterwards in a press briefing where I was asked if there would be a crash. I said that I did not believe there would be a crash. I will give Deputy Sargent the same answer I gave that day. Irish residential property stock is worth €500...

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The population has risen and demand has remained strong.

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Somewhere along the line supply and demand will come together. The reality is that there are cautionary issues about 100% mortgages. We all agree on that.