Results 7,181-7,200 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If I give a long answer, the Deputy gets confused, so I will give a short answer.

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I said to Deputy Rabbitte that the heads of the property services regulatory authority Bill were published before Christmas. The Bill will be responsible for auctioneers, estate agencies and management agencies. That is precisely the issue that the Deputy raised today. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform set up a working group on the regulation of auctioneers. I understand...

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I commented on the management fees because that issue is also relevant. The Bill will protect management companies that also affect young people, which was a part of these proposals.

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am not too sure what question the Deputy wants to ask me. If he wants the——

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Health Insurance Act 1994 and the Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2003 provide for the regulations, whereby new entrants can participate in the health insurance sector. The Government wants to see Quinn Direct's proposals which will be examined by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority. We will have to see the arrangements in the contract drawn up when Quinn Direct purchased...

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: A number of important issues arise in this regard. The 400,000 who use BUPA Ireland's service want to continue to avail of private health insurance and have their policies protected. We should consider the staff of BUPA Ireland and the position of VHI Healthcare which expects to receive resources from the private health insurance operators under existing legislation which did not envisage...

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Actually, it has not been doing it since last July. The first I heard about Quinn Direct taking over was in the House last Wednesday. It only came into the equation a few days before that, as I understand it. I did not know of its interest until last Wednesday. I have no brief for Quinn Direct which employs 6,500 people. I do not know if it is right for Deputy Higgins to feel it...

Leaders' Questions (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We have to resolve some issues relating to the Health Insurance Act. The Attorney General is examining the matter and we are getting some outside advice. I do not think we can resolve the matter before the ongoing work of the Barrington group has been completed. We need to examine precisely how Quinn Direct intends to compose its corporate entity. We have to deal with such issues and will...

Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 14, motion re withdrawal of Comhairle (Amendment) Bill 2004; No. 15, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of agreements between the European Communities and the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Tajikistan; No. 16, motion re technical amendments to Standing Orders; No. 4, Finance Bill 2007 — Order for Second Stage and...

Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: No. 16 has been agreed by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. The Comhairle (Amendment) Bill is being withdrawn because the Citizens Information Bill has been passed and is now before the Seanad. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service Bill has been on the list for the last five years——

Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——but the Minister for Social and Family Affairs has updated and changed the structure of the Bill and a different Bill will be brought forward. That Bill is being left on the list until the Minister brings forward the other Bill.

Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The last Bill mentioned by the Deputy is due to be introduced during the year. The Pharmacy (No. 1) Bill, to provide for fitness to practise regulations and so forth, covers the removal of restrictions on pharmacists educated in other EEA countries from managing or supervising a pharmacy in this country that is less than three years old. The Bill covers issues relating to the European...

Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I went down and gave my good time to the eminent gentleman and I enjoyed it no end. That is over and done with and I will not answer any more questions because I have answered enough questions about signing blank cheques and I am not doing it any more.

Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Did I sign blank cheques? I signed loads of them for all kinds of organisations and clubs for years. I have given it up now.

Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It cost the State a fortune to find me guilty. Deputy Kenny asked about a debate on the Harris report and the Government has committed itself to such a debate.

Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The property services regulatory authority Bill is to provide for the establishment of the property services regulatory authority to give full effect to the report of the auctioneering and estate agency review group. It is on the list of promised legislation and it is due this year. The voluntary health legislation is on the list. In reply to Deputy Joe Higgins, I stated that the Government...

Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not understand why Deputy Rabbitte is being so mischievous on this issue. I spent 45 minutes today explaining the situation in what I regard as a fair and even-handed manner. The Government has completed its work. We would like this to be agreed on an all-party basis. For the Government to sign off and publish its work would be to ignore the Opposition and we will not do so.

Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, is engaging with the parties and then we will see where we are. This is an entirely reasonable position for us to hold and I did not give any other impression today as was reported outside the House.

Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Carbon Fund Bill is before the House.

Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will send a note to the Deputy about that legislation.