Results 7,321-7,340 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Sargent is correct in respect of one matter and wrong with regard to the others. If the 4,000 teachers had been put into normal classes——

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Sargent should stop asking questions and then interrupting when I am trying to answer them.

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If the 4,000 teachers to whom I referred had, since 2002, been placed into mainstream classes, the ratio would have been reduced to 20:1. The case was well made that disadvantaged children and those with disabilities should be placed in smaller classes. Many such classes contain 15 or fewer pupils. Was it right to give people with fewer chances — namely, those who are disadvantaged,...

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Was it not better to look after the disadvantaged——

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It was not possible to do it all.

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We would not have been able to produce——

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Will the Green Party Members stop interrupting?

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Sargent should control the five Members who represent his party.

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It would not have been possible to take on 6,000. We prioritised the children——

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputies opposite should listen.

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy showed me a letter last week that turned out to be bogus. He should not show me another bogus document.

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We put in place the teachers to deal with disadvantaged children. If Deputy Sargent wants to be honest——

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——he should state that he did not agree with that decision.

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: There are only five Green Party Members.

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I want to give Deputy Sargent the answer to his question. He asked about class sizes relating to disadvantaged children and slow learners.

Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The ratio for special needs classes and those relating to autism is 5:1 or 6:1 and not 15:1. We put in place resources to bring the ratio relating to these classes right down. We did not make a promise in that regard but it was the right thing to do. We reduced class sizes by providing classroom assistants and full-time teachers. The ratio in every school in the country with special needs...

Order of Business (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 12, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Internal Agreement concerning the 10th European Development Fund; No. 19, National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006 — Report Stage, resumed, and Final Stage; No. 20 — National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad] — Second Stage, resumed; and No. 21 —...

Order of Business (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The motion is being referred to the committee where it will be debated. With the pressure on the House, if it was debated here it would be rushed. The committee can debate it for as long as it wants.

Order of Business (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: At the Cabinet meeting this morning the Government approved the wording of the amendment we propose to put to the people on the place of children in our Constitution. We will publish the referendum Bill next week. The final wording for the amendment follows extensive consultation with the Opposition parties, voluntary organisations that work with children and other interested organisations,...

Order of Business (13 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We will publish the wording and the referendum Bill. We have circulated two detailed briefing documents outlining the scope of the proposed amendment. We have met the Opposition parties at least twice and have listened carefully to suggestions and concerns put forward by various groups. The wording will be published with the Bill next week and will reflect those considerations. If people...