Results 5,501-5,520 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Bill are expected soon. It will be some time before it is drafted.

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Having been in process for at least 25 years, at least it is coming through.

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is already passed.

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I understand not.

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The adoption Bill is for later this year. I am not aware of a nurses assault Bill.

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This session. Our definition of "this session" is up to the start of the next session.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There are a few points of fact. When Leas Cross was uncovered, I stated that the position was entirely unsatisfactory. The Deputy indicated that nothing was done, but we closed Leas Cross. It went out of business. Even though it was a new building, because the standards of care and attention to elderly people were nowhere near the acceptable standard, it was closed down and Leas Cross has not...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The HSE and the former health boards have always had an inspectorate to examine nursing homes. After the appalling revelations which emerged from Leas Cross, the HSE stepped up the number and frequency of inspections to make sure nursing homes were up to an acceptable standard. I understand this is the approach the HSE is following. We give a great deal of resources to the HSE for the beds it...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I agree with Deputy Rabbitte that people who abuse the tax system, avoid or evade tax or operate outside the tax code are committing a serious offence against compliant taxpayers, not to mind against the law, and nobody should do that. This Government and Governments of which I have been a member have, in the past ten years and more, strengthened our legislation and enhanced the powers and...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The settlement is to the credit of the Revenue Commissioners and the powers they possess. Tribunals carry out useful work but they do not collect taxes and cannot operate settlements or examine the issues which can lead to huge settlements such as this one. Their work is undoubtedly helpful to that but the cases have to be examined independently and verified by the Revenue Commissioners. We...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: All companies and individuals should abide by the law. They should not be involved in evasion or avoidance.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: That is a matter for the arms——

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Obviously, the Deputies do not want to listen to a serious answer. It would be interesting to look at the last list, as well as helpful in terms of highlighting some of the political affiliations of the people listed.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As Deputy Joe Higgins knows, house price increases are primarily driven by the increase in demand for housing which has resulted from the unprecedented growth in recent years in the population and the economy. Now that we have stopped mass emigration by working class people, unemployed trade unionists and those who lived in working class communities who had to seek refuge in Australia,...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There are issues of affordability. Deputy Higgins asked what the Government is doing. Some €4 billion has been invested in the programmes of affordable housing for this year and next year and 15,000 households will benefit under the affordable housing schemes in that period. The affordable schemes partnership will accelerate the delivery of affordable housing in the greater Dublin area...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The only way we will reduce house prices is to increase supply above demand.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This Government has brought supply from 30,000 to 80,000 in a short period. The Deputy wants me to highlight the Government's measures but will not listen when I respond. Deputy Joe Higgins knows that an enormous number of people are receiving assistance on social housing and rent supplements.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Some 15,000 units will be delivered by various affordable schemes this year and next year. More than 70 sites have been identified for State and local authority owned land.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Part V will produce up to 10,000 houses under the partnership agreement. The initiative delivered 1,500 under Part V and this year it is estimated that 2,250 will be produced.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The total capital provision for social and affordable housing this year is €2 billion — more than double what it was five years ago. That includes €1.4 billion Exchequer provision, an increase of 13% on last year. Some 6,000 local authority houses will start this year, including units provided under various schemes. The needs of some 14,000 households will be met by a range of social...