Results 5,381-5,400 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (7 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On 26 April 2005, the Government appointed Mr. Patrick MacEntee S.C. as Sole Member of a Commission of Investigation to examine specific matters relating to the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings of 1974, including aspects of the Garda investigation and missing documentation. This was in accordance with the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In November 2005, the Public Appointments Service advertised the post of Assistant Parliamentary Counsel Grade II. Forty four applied for the posts, one subsequently withdrew and three did not meet the minimum qualifications. Twenty one were short-listed and completed a written test. Sixteen qualified for the interview stage but five of those did not attend for interview. Of the eleven...

Northern Ireland Issues. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 13, inclusive, together. There are ongoing contacts with all Northern Ireland political parties. I last met Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Alliance Party on 30 March. The Northern Ireland Assembly reconvened for the first time in three and a half years on Monday, 15 May. Its purpose is to prepare for the re-establishment of the devolved Executive as soon as...

Northern Ireland Issues. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The assembly has been back in session since 15 May. The British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, and I will meet the parties later this month. It would be disappointing if, by that stage, the parties had not moved beyond procedural wrangling and trench warfare. They have responsibilities which they must discharge. Yesterday's agreement, finally, on arrangements for chairing the preparation for...

Northern Ireland Issues. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: No.

Northern Ireland Issues. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The next IMC report is due in October, a critical time in the peace process. I am sure some of the issues Deputy Kenny has mentioned will be addressed in it. Ongoing criminality in Northern Ireland, which may overflow into this jurisdiction, is of concern. Criminality of any kind cannot be tolerated, and the Garda and PSNI are making significant progress in dealing with the issue. The Deputy...

Northern Ireland Issues. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The shooting of Mark Haddock on 30 May was a shocking and appalling incident. I understand that two men have been charged with the attempted murder of Mr. Haddock and remanded in custody at Belfast Magistrate's Court until 4 July. The PSNI is investigating this matter fully and, as such, it would be inappropriate of me to comment further. I am aware of all the issues concerning the...

Northern Ireland Issues. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The amendments to which the Deputy referred were agreed between the Governments, the DUP and Sinn Féin as part of the 2004 comprehensive agreement that dealt with the operational strands one, two and three of the Agreement. They were discussed throughout 2004 as part of the ongoing review of the operation of the Agreement. Some of the operational changes were rather technical but they formed...

Northern Ireland Issues. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: That is a good point. As the Deputy knows, I have met business leaders and with civic society groups. I have urged them to engage actively and to involve themselves in encouraging the political process, and they have done so. To be fair, a number of the political parties have been working hard to make linkages and engaging with others by assisting them and trying to build partnerships. All...

Northern Ireland Issues. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On the last point, the work of the North-South bodies continues on the same basis as it has in recent years. They are doing useful work in a range of areas but in the absence of an executive, they are unable to complete a number of issues. This is a pity and is another example of where important work remains to be dealt with. While there is an enormous amount of activity on health, education,...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I appreciate the question and the spirit in which it is put. An enormous effort has been made in the past 18 months on this issue, although that is not to take from those groups which have been involved for a much longer period. Last year we raised the issue with the President, Mr. Bush, and we did so again this year. We also worked with the lobby group over the past six to nine months. The...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The best way to make progress is to make an effort before the summer. Taking the Bill that has been passed by the Senate and the Sensenbrenner Bill, we must try to find a compatible Bill which brings the two together, which is not easy because of their differing bases and the heated arguments over the topic. The Minister for Foreign Affairs was told that as the politics play out in this, we...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Government continues, through the decentralisation implementation group, to work through the proposals with staff. More than 10,600 civil and public servants have applied to the central application facility to relocate and it receives new applications every week. To answer Deputy Rabbitte's question on the current situation, several Departments have been prioritised and are working their...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I have stated in the House in recent weeks that we cannot implement the programme within the timescale first envisaged but that there are priority areas where advance negotiations with the staff side have been undertaken to move specific sections or units of Departments. That is the clear position, and those plans are moving ahead. They cover approximately 2,500 civil servants from those...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: However, the Deputy is talking about a small hard core, and all Members who have been in Government, including the Deputy, know that policy units are small. That issue is being discussed in the implementation group and it has been put forward by senior civil servants, especially from the higher grades. Their case must be listened to because the process is voluntary and the Government has...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I agree with Deputy Sargent's comments about the deaths of three inmates at Guantanamo Bay. The full circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear but the fact that three detainees committed suicide is deeply troubling. I welcome the promise by the US Government to hold a full review of procedures used at the camp. It has been agreed that the International Committee of the Red Cross may...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I do not accept that at all.

Leaders' Questions. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We are absolutely opposed to extraordinary rendition. We have made this emphatically clear on a continuous basis, including directly and at the highest level, to the US. US authorities have fully accepted our position and have made it clear that prisoners have not been transferred through Irish territory nor would they be——

Leaders' Questions. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Will the Deputies listen to me?

Leaders' Questions. (13 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I answered Deputy Sargent's question about whether I agreed with Senator Marty. The gardaí have the powers to search these aircraft if there is any reasonable suspicion they are breaking the law.