Results 5,941-5,960 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 32, inclusive, together. On 29 June 2006, the British Prime Minister and I met at Stormont with the Northern Ireland political parties to discuss plans to restore the democratic institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. This meeting allowed a timely opportunity to assess the work done since the recall of the Assembly on 15 May. The two Governments...

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On the general position, the recall of the Assembly on 15 May has proved to be an important milestone. While the process was slow at the outset, progress has been made subsequently and continues to be made. The engagement which has taken place among all the parties in the forum has been extremely helpful. It is jointly chaired by Sinn Féin and the DUP and a considerable amount of effort...

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I said, there is no need for a special summit because at every meeting we stress these important matters, in particular the Finucane case, collusion and issues from the past involving a number of cases with which we have been dealing from the historical position. We raise these continually with the British Government. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, also raised...

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am not aware of what happened at a meeting of a committee of the Houses today. As the Deputy is aware from the inquiry and the reports of it by Mr. Justice Barron, it is clear throughout them that there is an identified location where activities were going on and that was highlighted a number of times. Mr. Justice Barron definitely wrote a considerable amount about that in his first...

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: That is significant. The newer investigation being undertaken by senior counsel is looking at those aspects. That work continues and co-operation with the British Government has continued over the summer months.

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy asked a number of questions and I will answer the last one first. I know the arguments the DUP makes but they cannot say it is an arbitrary date because it is one the British Government fixed at Cabinet level and enshrined in legislation which was passed by the House of Lords and the House of Commons. They cannot blame the Irish Government if it is a date embedded in their own...

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will continue to raise the issues mentioned by Deputy McGrath. I consistently engage with at least ten such groups on issues including the shooting of Mr. Pat Finucane and the Miami Showband massacre. I make the case to the British Government and to the Northern Ireland Office and my officials will continue to do so. I will return to the Deputy's point on the Civil Service. Deputy...

Nomination of Tánaiste: Statement (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I wish to announce for the information of the Dáil that on 13 September 2006 I nominated Deputy McDowell, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform as Tánaiste.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 10, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the sectoral plans in accordance with section 31(6) of the Disability Act 2005; No. 11, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War (referred to as 'Protocol V') of the Convention on...

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am not changing it. I have answered questions.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There is no plan to amend the ethics legislation. The issues are set out clearly in that legislation and in the codes. I spent half an hour on Leaders' Questions dealing with the issues. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving us that time.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This Bill is before the Seanad.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The citizen's information Bill will be published in October and will be taken in this session. The criminal justice (UN convention against corruption) Bill will be taken next year.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The purpose of the single electricity market Bill is to facilitate the establishment of a wholesale electricity market on the island of Ireland. The heads of the Bill have been approved but, as a North-South initiative, it will require a joint approach. It will be dealt with during this session.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of this Bill were approved some weeks ago and it has been sent for drafting. It will be brought forward next year.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is expected to be. The difficulty is that there are always so many Bills in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We hope to bring forward the housing (miscellaneous provisions) Bill early next year.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The eligibility for health and personal social services Bill will be dealt with at some stage next year. It was sent for drafting some time ago.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister informs me that the Bill is being drafted.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This Bill has been delayed to allow us give effect to the recommendations of the joint working group on the protection of children. The legislation arises out of the North-South Ministerial Council. Work thus far on the Bill has concentrated on developing procedures for the vetting of convictions through the vetting unit. The development of a register gives rise to a range of policy and...