Results 5,781-5,800 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The system is currently used in 90% of the electoral areas in the Netherlands. It is used in Cologne, Dortmund, Brandenburg and Anhalt.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The machines have been used in elections in the Netherlands. The system was used in the EU referendum in 2005 and it has gained federal certification in the US which enables the product to be used in elections there.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Is the Deputy anti-US as well?

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Since nobody in the Opposition is thankful for the work of Mr. Justice Smith and the commission, I thank them for producing this report. The Opposition is upset that it has not given them the ammunition that they wanted, but perhaps at least they will deliberate on the system, as the Government will, in the weeks ahead.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will answer Deputy Sargent directly on this issue. I was in favour of the Kenny report many years ago. I am still in favour of it.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Can I answer, please? I am in favour of the conclusions of the report of the all-party committee. The report of the all-party committee states that we should be able to deal with the fundamental issues by legislative means.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is being drafted. I am pressing to get on with it and I do not disagree with what Deputy Sargent stated in that regard. A significant number of people state that such legislation, on which I hope we will come to a conclusion over the summer, could well be challenged. If that is the case, we would need a constitutional referendum——

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——of which I also would be in favour of trying. It was put forward by the committee — we debated the matter many times in the House — that we should try the legislative route and we are trying it. The Attorney General has not given me a final version of the report, but I hope we can do it by legislation and we will try to do it by legislation. I will try to address it over the summer....

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am aware he asked a serious question.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Obviously what prompts this question is that Deputy Sargent has seen yesterday that 200 affordable houses were handed over for between €145,000 and €195,000.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: But it is a significant development. Deputy Sargent should not see everything as a Z grade.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This was a considerable achievement, that——

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——yesterday almost 200 people got houses for €145,000 under the affordable housing initiative. We want to see far more of that. I ask Deputy Sargent and his colleagues and every other party to help local authorities, which in so many areas of the city want to build social and affordable housing——

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——and are being blocked by Members of this House.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Members are publicly used to block it. It is sad that Deputies come in here asking for affordable housing and then use their efforts outside to block them in many parts, including the parts of the city that Deputy Sargent mentioned.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Government will press on with the legislation. We hope to have it ready shortly. I hope we will be able to move to deal with this issue.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is almost impossible, a Cheann Comhairle. They all ask questions every time one answers them.

Order of Business. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 18, Institutes of Technology Bill 2006 — Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage; No. 19, Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006 [Seanad] — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 1 — Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad] — Second and Subsequent Stages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that (1)...

Order of Business. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On the Dalton report, I have tried to have a number of these reports completed and published in this session. The issues of the Committee of Public Accounts are related but that is a matter for the committee. The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill is on Committee Stage in the Seanad so obviously the Dáil will not debate it until the autumn.

Order of Business. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I mentioned this in the course of questions today. When the Government met this morning it had not received the report. The report was given to the Department as a courtesy but no member of Government has seen it. We must read and discuss the report next week.