Results 781-800 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There are three or four points. The Deputy accepts the additional works are vitally necessary and the Government has been pressing to get on with them. Procurement and related issues have been addressed. The issue on the contract is because NTR is involved in the funding of the project, a buy out is not an option because that will affect the work. The Deputy asked what alleviation can be...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy has made a statement of his views and there is no point in me trying to change any of them. As I said last week, the sentence imposed on Mr. Ray Burke on Monday of last week demonstrated that any citizen who breaks the law will face its full rigours. I am satisfied that justice has been done and been seen to be done. The people can, therefore, have faith in our system of justice....

Leaders' Questions. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: When I knew and it became clear to this House, the Government brought forward proposals, on which the House collectively agreed, to set up investigations into all these matters many years ago. Those investigations have examined all of the files in all the areas where they had any doubts, connections or involvement. They continue to do that to this day. Unfortunately, I did not know all of the...

Computerisation Programme. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The e-Cabinet project has progressed very well and the key aspects of the system came into operation during 2004. Further development is in progress and will be incrementally deployed in the course of this year. Phase one went live in summer 2004 and was launched by the then Minister of State with responsibility for the information society, Deputy Hanafin. It enabled all Departments to author...

Computerisation Programme. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The project is more or less on schedule. It has been an enormous project because it affects all Departments and offices. We are now at implementation stage. It is planned to further augment its features and functionality over several more phases this year. Those phases are electronic briefing facilities for Ministers; key features which automatically generate one-page overviews of memos; a...

Computerisation Programme. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The answer to the Deputy's question is "Yes". They are all now using the one system. It is in the Cabinet secretariat and is now on all memorandums. All sections of Departments are using the one system. Many of these things are new and different but they have worked most effectively and this will be built on. This puts us in a position where we are well advanced. It is of great benefit to the...

Computerisation Programme. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Yes. In fairness, I did this at the start——

Computerisation Programme. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I did this at the start when we commenced the work. Former Deputy, John Bruton, and Deputy Quinn raised the issue at the time. It does cover the entire Government service. I assure Deputies that I am not an expert on this. I am afraid age is against me in terms of being a technology buff. However the system is very good and we can all be very proud of how it works in the Civil Service. It has...

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 25, inclusive, together. I made an official visit to China and Hong Kong from 18 to 22 January at the invitation of the authorities there. The overall purpose of the visit was to further enhance Ireland's strong economic and trade links with China. I was accompanied on the trip by my colleagues, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the...

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As the Deputy knows, two-way trade is important in the context of balance of trade. A small number of larger Irish companies are seriously examining the prospect of investing in the Chinese market. On this occasion we were involved with Kerry Group, which is due to open its ingredients plant. It sees a significant gain in investing in the huge Chinese market and has therefore built up...

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is an EU arms embargo. Every government and parliamentary delegation to China is asked about this as it is a big issue there. The first item raised at every press conference is the arms embargo. When the Chinese media visit Ireland, it also raises the issue. While it is seen by the Chinese as a great affront, we see it differently. I reiterated the Irish position on the matter, which is...

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Large amounts of bituminous coal are still burnt in China. This is a major problem of which they are aware. How it is resolved is another matter. One can imagine the effect of burning bituminous coal in a city with a population of 20 million people. We all remember what it was like in Dublin city with a population of only 1 million people. The Chinese people, particularly university students,...

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In my reply to Deputy Rabbitte, I explained that on this occasion I did not have discussions on Tibet. Before my last visit to China I met with Tibetan representatives in Ireland and made a formal presentation of their case when I was there. The dialogue which we asked for has now commenced. We strongly support the ingoing dialogue with the Chinese authorities and the representatives of the...

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I note what Deputy Kenny said about the position in Sudan. While I am not up to date with what happened at Monday's meeting of the General Affairs Council, I will probably receive a report during the week. The Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, was dealing with the matter on Monday at the General Affairs Council and I will check what happened. I note what the Deputy said about trying to engage...

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There is no change in our position in regard to Taiwan. We acknowledge, as we have done through the decades, China's position in regard to Taiwan. I reiterated Ireland's and the European Union's consistent "one China" policy. Equally, we maintain the EU's interest in maintaining links with Taiwan in non-political fields consistent with the "one China" policy. I stressed the importance of...

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not think the preparations have yet reached that stage. However, I indicated to the ambassador, with whom I was discussing other matters, that I would prefer not to get involved in the politics of exclusion. However, I am not sure if the White House will take a similar view. We must wait to see what happens. In reply to Deputy Higgins, I have been asked by the ETUC and others about...

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 16, statements on European Council, Brussels; No. 15, Disability Bill 2004 — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 1, Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 — Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 16 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 80 minutes and the following...

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I think the report will be published next week. It is an independent report and I can give no directions on it. The authors can write whatever they like.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There has been no final Cabinet decision on the Dublin metro but the legislation is being worked on and should be available shortly after the decision is made.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As I said last week, a short Bill is being prepared to make statutory provision for the new medical cards and will shortly be before the House.