Results 8,001-8,020 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Resources have increased by more than 30%. Public expenditure has risen by 38% or 39% and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act is regarded as being one of the most advanced anywhere in the world.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: That is the consideration regarding this Act.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is a fact.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Autism is an important issue and as I noted, 182 special classes for children with autism are attached to schools. This is considered to be the best approach. There are also special classes for different streams of autism. There are 18 pre-school classes to facilitate demand for early intervention and 14 stand-alone facilities have been provided for applied behavioural analysis. These are...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is the Government's priority to continue to expand provision for children with autism. All primary and post-primary schools have access to psychological assessments for their pupils through the various schemes. More than 4,000 such private assessments were funded in the school system last year. The Government has continued to provide resources for this matter in every way possible...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——per class with the possibility of additional special needs assistant posts being made available on a one to one basis, where required. Deputy Sargent should note this is already in existence. Significant support is now available in the area of teacher training through an accredited autism-specific course, an approach-specific course, on-line courses and through special education....

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——and the Government will continue to have ongoing meetings with Irish Autism Action on such issues.

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 22, inclusive, together. On Monday, we were witness to truly unprecedented developments in Northern Ireland. Anyone with any sense of the history and troubles of this island understands the significance of the meeting between Sinn Féin and the DUP and their unequivocal agreement to restore the devolved institutions on 8 May. I know that everyone in...

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The agreement is an historic landmark and an important development. I am delighted we reached such a pivotal point in what has been a long process. I would rather see the institutions being set up this week but having said that, the negotiations, agreements and understandings are even more important. Undoubtedly, it is a golden moment and an unprecedented hope. We all have to work to...

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I thank Deputy Rabbitte for his acknowledgement of my role, which I appreciate. On policing, I do not believe anything will happen prior to 8 May other than that discussions will take place. The board will have to be reconstituted and I assume that will coincide with 8 May or it will be after it. I do not think it will be reconstituted before that. That will be a call for the Secretary of...

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I think so. There are no outstanding reasons it cannot be reconstituted and moved on. I have no particular information on the arms issue. There are still subversive groups, though small in number and dedicated in their unhelpful mission. They are still about and there have been some reports of activities, all from the usual sources. They still take up quite a large amount of effort and...

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We should have a debate on collusion. It will be during this Dáil. I thank Deputy Sargent for his remarks. On the first issue, we have invested an increased amount of resources in the American Ireland Fund, which is dealing with the issue of the segregation of education. A large part of the money goes towards integrated education and the fund is making good progress. It would have been a...

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, on the systems and allocation of housing. The Deputy raised the children issue yesterday. I have talked to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, about it and he has his officials working on it. There is ongoing dialogue through the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, but we have asked to bring the matter to a conclusion. In the interregnum, we will try to make...

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Is the Deputy referring to an all-island basis?

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will.

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy raised a number of issues. Work on the interconnector is continuing and is well advanced. Money in the national development plan has been provided for it. We have been supportive of the Border corridor of Sligo-Enniskillen-Dundalk, as it is hugely important for the economic development of the region. The last three Border roads will be open by the summer and will allow far more...

Official Engagements. (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I discussed a range of international issues, including Iraq, with President Bush. The Americans are continuing to work with the elected Government in Iraq to try to bring peace and some harmony to that war-torn area. Certain problems are continuing to this day, unfortunately — a large number of people were killed in Iraq today. I think the US Administration would be glad to be able to...

Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 21, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 22, European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad] — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 23, Medical Practitioners Bill 2007 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than...

Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On the Harris report, I raised it previously with the Minister for Education and Science and I will raise it with her again. I cannot recall what I said about it the last time so I had better check it.

Order of Business (28 Mar 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not believe she agreed to publish it but I will ask her about it again.