Results 6,881-6,900 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Departmental Bodies. (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The entire housing section in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government deals with housing, but it is mainly the affordable parts of it that are discussed by the cross-departmental team. There is a range of affordable housing mechanisms, the shared ownership scheme, the 1999 affordable housing scheme, Part V and the State-local authority lands element and the...

Departmental Bodies. (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The legal obligation under Part V can be satisfied by way of a cash contribution only if the local authority considers it appropriate, taking account of its housing needs. It is important to remember that payments received by local authorities through Part V agreement are ring-fenced. The allocation received in the Book of Estimates is substantially increased for housing next year and...

Departmental Bodies. (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The runway issue was not discussed and I do not want to give answers off the top of my head. In the normal course, I would have thought that a cost-benefit analysis would be done.

Departmental Bodies. (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It was not discussed, so perhaps the Deputy could take it up with the line Minister. On Part V, approximately 100,000 planning applications for housing units were extant in the system and it took a number of years for them to go through. Many developments in the past four or five years had earlier planning permissions and did not come under the requirements of Part V. This year has seen a...

Departmental Bodies. (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am not aware of the rail freight issue. I will bring the Deputy's views to the attention of the Minister. It was not discussed, but I take the point he has made. Needless to say, I am familiar with the Phoenix Park tunnel. The Deputy is right in saying it has much potential. For some time it has been examined by CIE, not only regarding the development at Spencer Dock, but also in...

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 26a — Budget Statement and financial motions by the Minister for Finance at the conclusion of questions to members of the Government. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and the motion for the General Financial Resolution shall be moved not later than 12 midnight whereupon business...

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As stated recently, the sale of alcohol Bill is to be published early in 2007. The purpose of the Bill will be to codify the law relating to the sale and consumption of alcohol. There are over 200 heads relating to the Bill and while people are working on it, I do not believe anyone is doing so on a full-time basis. The heads have been approved but the Bill, which will be enormous because...

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Not much has happened, other than the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, updating us. It is still the Government's view that if agreement can be reached, we would like to deal with this matter before the general election.

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is intended to deal with the children's issue.

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: If we can reach agreement——

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Yes.

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The health Bill should be published shortly. I hope we will be able to deal with that important legislation at the start of the next session. The health Bill will provide for the establishment of the health information and quality authority and the office of the chief inspector of social services on a statutory basis. If the Whips can reach agreement, we would like to take the Bill at the...

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take the Bill this session.

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will be obliged to check the position regarding the Deputy's first question on the regulations. With regard to the second issue, if the person responsible for drafting the legislation does not let me down, I hope that we will be able to take the Bill next week.

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will raise the matter with the Whips.

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: That report will have to be taken next session, since there is no more time this session. We have cleared many debates, but we will not be able to take that one. I will ask the Minister to provide an end-of-year update on how voluntary agreements with the industry on alcohol products have worked. I do not have up-to-date information in that regard. The legislation is ready, but we said...

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I understand the legislation is almost ready, the heads having been cleared in the summer when it went for drafting. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform lists it as its first Bill for next session. The fines Bill is to be published shortly and it is listed for early 2007.

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This is always a problem. The definition of "this session" to which we operate is the day before the next session begins, so both answers are correct.

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I did not write the definition.

Order of Business (6 Dec 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is listed for 2007. Perhaps the Deputy could table a parliamentary question but the obesity report has been sent to several Ministers. It is most relevant to the Departments of Arts, Sport and Tourism, Health and Children, and Education and Science, but it is being implemented.