Results 581-600 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Yes. We can of course go ahead with the drafting and preparation of the legislation and not lose time. Publication must coincide with publication by the Northern Ireland Assembly and, therefore, without the Assembly, it is not possible to move on this. However, as I understand it, while the heads of the Bill have been drafted for a considerable time, all the preparatory work can be done. The...

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy should put down a parliamentary question to the Minister. I have no information on the matter.

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is, but I do not have a date for it.

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I will examine the matter.

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: As there is much interest in the Bill, I presume Second Stage will continue for some time. As the Deputy knows, I have often answered questions in the House on the consultation process. We have been through this. While I do not know whether the Deputy is aware, everyone else seems well aware of the issues. As the Bill goes through Second Stage, amendments are put down for Committee Stage. It...

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: A statement will be made either later this evening or tomorrow morning by the Minister of State at the Department of Finance who is responsible for this matter.

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I will raise it with the Whips.

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The health complaints Bill is part of the health Bill, which it is hoped the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children will deal with shortly. The coroners Bill will be published in 2005. Regarding the DPP provision, I am not sure if there is legislation on that matter. It would have to be examined in the context of legislation but I do not believe there is a Bill.

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the gas regulation Bill which gives effect to the restructuring of the gas industry are expected to be ready before Christmas and the legislation will be drafted next year.

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is not——

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The electronic communications (miscellaneous provisions) Bill which will deal with the broadcast network is expected late this year.

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is still expected in 2006.

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: He is Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Order of Business. (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs has always attended and assisted at meetings in Northern Ireland.

Written Answers — Departmental Strategy Statements: Departmental Strategy Statements (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The mandate of my Department is to provide the Government, Taoiseach and Ministers of State at the Department with the support, policy advice and information necessary for the effective conduct of Government and for the dynamic leadership, co-ordination and strategic direction of Government policy from policy formulation through to decision-making, implementation and monitoring.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (2 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Specific responsibilities and authority for financial management within my Department are assigned to the finance officer and to the finance unit. The fundamental role of the finance unit is to provide central services to the Department relating to its financial management responsibilities. Therefore, the unit provides certain services for the rest of the Department in the following areas....

Departmental Bodies. (16 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The projected total cost of the communications unit for 2004 is €299,921, of which €122,990 is a direct cost to my Department with, on average, €35,386 being borne by the five other Departments that have staff seconded to the unit. The cost for the unit in 2003 was €288,737. The unit provides a media information service to Ministers...

Departmental Bodies. (16 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I do not think the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs issued a statement yesterday. The only statements were media reports.

Departmental Bodies. (16 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The only news I heard was what was on the headlines and the report that the car was burned out. I did not hear any more on it. In the normal course of events, the unit merely reports the headlines of the main national news, the larger Dublin local news stations, Independent Network News, INN, which is broadcast throughout the country, and the morning newspapers. It merely provides a list of...

Departmental Bodies. (16 Nov 2004)

Bertie Ahern: If I may take the next question, I can answer the Deputy's question with it.