Results 6,161-6,180 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I already gave as full information as I have about Manchester. I answered the questions fully. I paid £180,000 for my house. I had a mortgage of £150,000 and £30,000 from my own accounts. I put all of that information in the public domain. Regarding whether I paid this, that or the other tax, I am entitled to state what tax I paid. It extraordinary that I am being asked during Leaders...

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There are no changes. Keep to the facts.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: No, €150,000.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I gave the figure last week that the house cost me €180,000, that is exactly the same figure as I gave last week. That is the same the figure.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The mortgage was €150,000, I did not say €100,000, I am just looking at the note of what I said last week. I have put out all of the information. By the way, I do not know anyone else's mortgage in this House. If the issue here is to find out how much someone's mortgage is or who ate a dinner and who did not and who ate a sandwich instead, we should get real. I have answered a level...

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I do not consider I caused a problem. I did not leak anything from the tribunal, the tribunal asked me questions about Mauritius, about whether I got €15 million from O'Callaghan and about a range of other things. I gave my facts in answer to those questions and someone leaked those facts. I do not know who did it or how but I must answer those issues. This is the level that the House...

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I can confirm that nobody in any way either lent me money or that anyone who was at a dinner to the best of my knowledge——

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——did anything corrupt or involving a corrupt act.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Can I answer? In the middle of my answer, if people start saying I am not answering the question how can I answer it?

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I heard the question. I said there was nothing corrupt nor were they looking for contracts nor were they doing anything wrong.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I have been responsible for most of the legislation in the last nine years. We set up the Standards in Public Office Commission, a group that did not previously exist, to deal these issues. We have changed the Electoral Act for national and local elections.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We built in a substantial number of procedures and I think it has worked.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The evidence is there that it has worked. The amendment we now have states no one can receive a substantial gift in any way from friends that could be linked with any perception that it is wrong and the Standards in Public Office Commission would have to arbitrate on that before anyone could accept it. If it finds that it is not permissible, it is illegal to ignore that. That is as strong...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party and on my own behalf, I extend our deepest sympathies to Deputy Kenny and the Fine Gael Party on the death of Tom Fitzpatrick. In particular, my party and I wish to join Deputy Kenny in extending our sympathy to Carmel and Geraldine, Tom's son, Tom, his brother, John, his extended family and all his friends back in his native home. Tom was a very well...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: He held those faithfully and would lecture us on that from the benches opposite or the Ceann Comhairle's seat. He firmly held the view that precedents were important and that there should be respect for Parliament and positions. He fought for that and with his sharp legal mind he was able to use those standing orders eloquently. As Whip for Government and Opposition I was lucky enough to go...

Order of Business (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 9, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No 10, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the despatch of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL; and No. 17, statements on the Green Paper on Energy. It is proposed, notwithstanding...

Order of Business (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I accept the point made by Deputy Kenny. If the Whips can consider the matter, we can have the debate first or afterwards — I do not mind. I will give a commitment to have a debate. The Government Whip should talk to the Minister for Defence. The debate can be held before the motion goes to committee or we can allow it go to the committee and have the debate on its return, depending on...

Order of Business (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Yes.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Members have asked for a debate in the House, one way or another. I have agreed that there will be such a debate. While I do not believe it will take place tomorrow, it will be held either tomorrow or after the committee meeting, depending on what the Whips work out.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I accept that.