Results 7,641-7,660 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, it went to Government yesterday.

Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The management companies legislation is being drafted. I understand the Minister expected to have it ready by Easter but I am not sure whether it will be introduced this session.

Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is a question of the availability of drafting staff. The work of two draftsmen is required for the Finance Bill.

Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The sale of alcohol Bill is listed for 2007 but I do not know when exactly it will be brought forward.

Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill has 2,002 heads. The same draftsmen are responsible for producing all Bills, including the social welfare Bill and the Finance Bill, which take precedence over other legislation. One will not get through more than 20 Bills in a session.

Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The pharmacy No. 1 Bill will be ready shortly. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2006 is listed for early summer.

Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the animal health Bill were drafted some time ago. Its purpose is to consolidate and update the legislation dealing with animal health and welfare. I do not have a date for when it will be ready. The nursing homes support Bill will be brought forward this year but I do not have a date. It is in the process of being drafted and will be introduced some time in 2007.

Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

Bertie Ahern: No legislation is planned in respect of broadband enablement.

Ministerial Air Transport Service. (6 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The procedures I outlined to the House previously in respect of the use of the ministerial air transport service, most recently on 26 January 2005, have not changed. The position is that my approval is required prior to the service being used. Procedurally, requests for the use of the service are made to my office by Ministers' private...

Ministerial Air Transport Service. (6 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The MATS aircraft are housed at Baldonnel. I suggest the Deputy direct a question to the Minister for Defence. Practically all flights arrive at or depart from Baldonnel. A high proportion take off from Baldonnel and a smaller number from Dublin Airport. Those that take off from Dublin Airport do so for a variety of logistical, operational or safety reasons, including the needs of the...

Ministerial Air Transport Service. (6 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Most long-haul flights such as those to the United States usually leave from Dublin Airport, while shorter journeys such as those to Britain commence from Baldonnel. I fly from both Baldonnel and Dublin Airport. If I am returning late at night, I prefer to land at Dublin Airport, as it is located five minutes from my home but otherwise I do not really care. Most flights usually leave from...

Ministerial Air Transport Service. (6 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am. Three of the helicopters in which I flew crashed in one form or another in one year. That finished me and helicopters, except when I have to use them. I thought I had better take——

Ministerial Air Transport Service. (6 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I was not on them but, unfortunately, others were.

Ministerial Air Transport Service. (6 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Others were, so I declined my use of helicopters and have not resumed it, except on rare occasions. With regard to the British example, it is not a fair comparison. When the British go to the European Council on Thursday, they will bring two full jets with 500 staff. We will bring one jet with a dozen staff. With regard to our energy efficiency plans, we are not doing anything other than...

Ministerial Air Transport Service. (6 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: They travel a lot, however.

Ministerial Air Transport Service. (6 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If I did so, the Deputy would probably accuse me of being in his constituency again.

Ministerial Air Transport Service. (6 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do come into Dublin Airport — there is no doubt about that. I am not a great user of the Government jet. As the Deputy knows, some of my colleagues have far more reason to do so. Most of my use is in regard to the European Council meetings. The wear and tear issue came up a number of years ago. The Air Corps advised me that the wear and tear on the aircraft as a consequence of...

Ministerial Air Transport Service. (6 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes. When I was in Galway recently, I drove back, so I did not have any effect on the carbon footprint. It does not create any great difficulty for the Air Corps to fly across to Dublin Airport.

Ministerial Air Transport Service. (6 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not have the figure but can get it for the Deputy. I think it was given in the House last week.

Ministerial Air Transport Service. (6 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, extensively uses Aer Arann, as do a number of my colleagues.