Results 7,881-7,900 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

European Council Meetings. (21 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I said as much in my initial reply; it is the only way to proceed. A range of things is happening, and people are very committed. This affects forestry, agriculture and biofuels policy, and some countries, particularly the United States, are investing literally billions in research to find alternative products. I do not think that those products will be invented in Ireland, although it...

European Council Meetings. (21 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is not a question of being confident but of being committed. We have substantially decoupled Irish economic growth from emissions, something evident when one considers the figures for the past 16 years. An enormous range of issues have been considered only in the last few years, including the climate change strategy and the Green Paper on Energy. The credits are part of the system, and...

Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 18, Statements on European Council, Brussels; No. 19, Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 20, Carbon Fund Bill 2006 — Order for Report and Report and Final Stages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight, and business shall be...

Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am informed that section 24 of the Health Act 2004 empowers the HSE to engage such advisers as it considers necessary for the performance of its functions. Any fees due to the advisers so engaged are payable by the HSE out of the funds at its disposal. The matter is covered in the legislation.

Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The HSE.

Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On the first matter, I will bring Deputy Rabbitte's point to the attention of the Tánaiste. On the second issue, I will have to check the position but, as I understand it, when we did the care and maintenance agreement after the institutions collapsed, we had to formally agree that. There is also an agreement which has to be signed based on the British-Irish Agreement and the amendment to...

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I attended the spring meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, 8 and 9 March. I was accompanied at the meeting by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen. This European Council meeting, at which we agreed ambitious but achievable targets on energy and climate change, will be remembered as pivotal in the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Department of the Taoiseach published a booklet entitled "An Bhratach Náisiúnta, The National Flag" which details the manner in which the national flag should be flown. These are guidelines not regulations. Copies of this booklet have been placed in the Dáil Library. From time to time, the Department receives queries regarding the correct manner in which to fly the National flag. In...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (21 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: A total of twelve contracts where awarded by my Department between 1 March, 2006 and 28 February, 2007 and three contracts committed to within this 12 month period. The schedule outlines details in relation to these contracts. Date of Contract Supplier Name Status of Contract Details of Competitive Process used March 2006 Goodbody Economic Consultants Contract Awarded Supplier selected...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (27 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 10, inclusive, together. My sole responsibility as regards the Tribunal of Inquiry into Payments to Politicians and Related Matters is in the facilitation of its budget from my Vote. The first report of the Moriarty tribunal was made to Dáil Éireann in accordance with the terms of reference under which it was established by the House. I have no...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (27 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Regarding the completion of the work, I understand the entire work of the Moriarty tribunal, including the report, will be completed in the calendar year of 2007. As we have done in some of the other tribunals, on that basis it will be allowed to complete its work under the existing arrangements. I understand the public hearings are finished. I have been told by my officials it is possible...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (27 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: According to the rules covering the tribunals, we have seen already that in some cases costs have been issued by some of the other tribunals. If a tribunal is of the view that somebody has not co-operated — I think that is the word they use because people are legally entitled to challenge it, therefore such a challenge would not be considered a delay in terms of not co-operating because...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (27 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is not for me to judge whether you got value for money. I have already congratulated Mr. Justice Moriarty on his work.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (27 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will answer both questions. I have dealt with the matters in the report which relate to me in answers to questions from the tribunal and that is the appropriate manner. I am happy the tribunal accepted my evidence and was satisfied that I had no reason to believe the leader's account was operated otherwise than in an orthodox fashion. I am also pleased the tribunal stated in a report...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (27 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is a separate tribunal and it is not covered. I can, however, inform the Deputy that those matters remain under discussion. While my Department was not represented at official level, there was representation from the Office of the Attorney General, which comes under the aegis of my Department.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (27 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: However, the parliamentary questions with which we are dealing relate to the Moriarty tribunal.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (27 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am not answering questions on the Mahon tribunal because it does not come within my Department's remit. In the interests of being helpful, however, the matter to which the Deputy refers is still the subject of discussion. The three officials dealing with it are from the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Finance and the Office of the Attorney General, which...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (27 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I stated that those matters are ongoing.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (27 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: There has not been a deferral.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (27 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am not providing answers in respect of the Mahon tribunal, however, there has been no deferral. The original date given in respect of the Mahon tribunal was 31 March 2007.