Results 6,681-6,700 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Cabinet Meetings. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister is more familiar with commuting than the Deputy who takes a handy route on the motorway to Swords.

Cabinet Meetings. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The intention is to have a good reason and, normally, an invitation. It is in cases such as that of Cork during its year as the European capital of culture that we tend to have meetings outside Dublin, but it is a rare, once a year occurrence.

Cabinet Meetings. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I remind Deputy Kenny that Deputy Timmins of the Fine Gael Party asked me to go to Wicklow.

Cabinet Meetings. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I was near Deputy Rabbitte's constituency where we all keep an eye on him. The other day, I went to Abbottstown to watch schools going up before houses are built. The construction of the new commuter station is well advanced before other developments occur. I have seen ideal planning and development.

Cabinet Meetings. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There has been enormous change. The metro west will be in that area to take plans into the future. I watched commuter trains on the rail line speed off to the west. People travel in record times now compared to the past. If I had time, I would gladly have more meetings in such places to see the quality of life and ideal communities there.

Cabinet Meetings. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I have limited time and spend most of it in this rather cramped city, but I try my best to decentralise people to share the quality of life and standard of living in the large houses——

Cabinet Meetings. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——that, unfortunately, we cannot afford in these parts.

Cabinet Meetings. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte has reminded me that I was recently in Clonakilty to open some of the offices in question and that I visited some of the offices in Cavan. I opened the Marine Institute on the beautiful coast of Galway Bay.

Cabinet Meetings. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: No, it is a fine building that cost more than €10 million to complete. It is an architecturally fine building that opens onto the sea. I can see why only eight people did not want to go, because it is a good location. They told me that four and five bedroom houses there cost only 55% of what they cost in this city and I understand why people would want to go to those lovely locations....

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 21, inclusive, together. Prime Minister Blair and I hosted three days of intensive multi-party talks with the Northern Ireland political parties from 11 to 13 October at St. Andrews in Scotland. The focus of the talks was on achieving full and effective operation of the political institutions of Northern Ireland. The St. Andrews Agreement, which the two...

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has put forward a package for infrastructure. A large portion corresponds to the ongoing costs of Northern Ireland to the British Exchequer but there is an additional sum. The package consists of £35 billion for the Executive for the next four years and £18 billion in support of a capital investment strategy until 2017. I have urged the Northern Ireland...

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: No. That was one of the issues——

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister for Foreign Affairs has co-operated throughout with the Colombian authorities. He has held discussions with them but apart from the fact that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has held recent discussions I have not seen any new correspondence or requests from the Colombian authorities.

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will endeavour to answer all the Deputy's questions. The main slippage has taken place in respect of the programme for government committee. The intention, when we broke up on 13 October in St. Andrews in Scotland, was that the programme for government meeting would be held on the following Tuesday. Regrettably, that did not take place. I was concerned about that; it was unhelpful to...

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: No. The pledge will be signed in March but what is in the pledge and the basis of the pledge are now agreed. That was a difficult exercise but it embraces the two issues. While Friday is important, everybody knows there will not be a development in March until these issues are dealt with. That must happen before March. Needless to say, I would like that to happen as soon as possible with...

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The memorandum of understanding on information-sharing arrangements between Ireland and the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, relating to sex offenders has been negotiated between the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the UK Home Office. The Tánaiste has received Government approval for its signing. It will be signed next Monday by the Tánaiste and the Home...

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: With regard to the second issue raised by the Deputy, I am aware that the appointment of the interim Commissioner for Victims is being investigated by the British Attorney General. The process was regarded as not being properly followed, issues arose with regard to cross-community support and the matter is under investigation. I have not raised the matter with the Prime Minister, Mr. Blair,...

Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 13, motion re the Book of Estimates, 2007, resumed; and No. 61, motion re housing, resumed. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted on the conclusion of Private Members' business, which shall be taken for 90 minutes at 7 p.m., or on the conclusion of No. 13,...

Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I understand it, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has promised legislation on that matter and it will come forward. I understand a large number of debates have been promised and the Government Whip is more inclined to have the debate on Darfur in the Seanad. The Harris report will be debated in the Dáil, as I understand it.

Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister, in his announcement yesterday, said he would deal with this matter through the Electoral (Amendment) Bill. As I understand it, that does not affect the changes he announced yesterday. There is an extension for the local authorities until 29 December and for the public until 9 December.