Results 5,821-5,840 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I was, unfortunately. They accuse the Government of what has yet to be done on crime, health, child care, education, the economy, house prices, road safety, social inclusion and farming.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I understand the Opposition members have a duty to hold the Government to account. That is an account I am glad to give, and I will. Tonight, however, they are posing as an alternative Government in an election they claim they want now. If the Irish people know absolutely nothing about what this alternative Government plans to offer for the future, they do remember what they offered in the...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On a night when we are being asked to think about broken promises from this Government, let us think about the nightmare scenario if Fine Gael and Labour had been given the opportunity to keep their promises and implement their programme from the last election. Their promise in the last election was to borrow more, spend more and tax more. Labour wanted to double capital gains tax.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Fine Gael wanted to pay off everyone from taxi drivers to Eircom shareholders.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Their programme for Government——

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Not at all.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Their programme for Government was a reckless, cynical gamble with the future of the young people who have completed their exams and are setting off in life this July. Looking back on the last motion of censure from the Opposition members three years ago and the issues they highlighted then, one thing is clear. If this Government does not have instant solutions to all the challenges we face...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On the issues, the facts speak for themselves. On crime, more gardaí and increased resources are being delivered effectively.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In a population that has increased by 14% since Deputy Kenny and Deputy Rabbitte sat at the Cabinet table, crime has dropped in relation to our population.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: What has also changed is that unlike then, we now have a Government that knows that any level of crime, especially violent crime, is unacceptable.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We are determined to tackle crime, build jails and put criminals behind bars.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On health, radical reform is in progress and real results are being delivered in many areas. Waiting lists have been successfully reduced to months instead of years.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In accident and emergency units, service is being improved in many hospitals. In others, where real problems remain,we are working with the Health Service Executive and the staff to deliver long-term and effective solutions for patients.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On schools, since Deputy Kenny and Deputy Rabbitte sat at the Cabinet table, 7,000 extra teachers are now working with 6,000 extra special needs assistants in smaller classes, in a system that now has a clear focus on the needs of students who most need additional help.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On child care, the Government is building on its delivery of more than 30,000 additional child care places. A new early child care supplement worth €1,000 per annum is payable in respect of children under six.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Child benefit has almost quadrupled from €38.10 per month in 1997 to €150 today. The facts on these issues and others that my colleagues will deal with in detail speak for themselves. They speak of the steady and planned progress being made on the issues that really matter to people. Ireland has seen a great deal of progress over the past ten years through the hard work of the people and...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Since 1997, 600,000 people are at work in Ireland in new jobs, giving opportunity to people and a massive lift to our economy. This is an Opposition that has nothing to say about massive increases in pensions and in children's allowances. Its members remain silent about repeated and radical reductions in income tax. They have nothing to say about the relentless effort to build a just and a...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: They say nothing because they stand for nothing except the pursuit of power for the sake of power.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny and Deputy Rabbitte have nothing to say because they have nothing to offer. Having learned the lessons of 2002, they have now resolved to say nothing at all. The duty of Government is to ensure public safety, improve public services and deliver support for those most in need but Fine Gael and Labour repeatedly refuse to explain to the people what they will better deliver if...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: They refuse to publish new policies accompanied by detailed costings. Their irresponsible economic policies proposed in the last general election campaign would threaten hard won progress on job creation, tax reduction and economic growth. On vital social issues such as health and education, they refuse to consider the tough decisions required for effective investment and reform. It is...