Results 8,341-8,360 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business (3 Jul 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am not aware of the change but it has long been the rule that if there is a statutory agency — and that applies to the ESB, for example — one goes directly to the agency rather than tabling questions. I do not know if it is the same with the Courts Service.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will check what changes have taken place.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The electricity (transfer of transmission assets) Bill should come before the House next year.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy should table a matter on the Adjournment.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2007)

Bertie Ahern: No legislation is listed in this respect but the Deputy can table a parliamentary question to the relevant Minister.

Order of Business (3 Jul 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Bill have been approved and the Parliamentary Counsel is drafting the Bill, which is due in the autumn.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Jul 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy will be aware that there are no proposals to decentralise my Department. Thirty-seven staff currently serving in my Department have applied through the Central Applications Facility to relocate under the Decentralisation Programme and 14 former members of staff have already been assigned to decentralised posts. Arrangements are in place to ensure that the decentralisation of...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (3 Jul 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Irish Government has supported the Charter of Fundamental Rights throughout the negotiations on the Constitutional Treaty and would have been happy to have it retained in the Reform Treaty. Unfortunately, it was not possible to secure a consensus on this. It will, however, have the same legal value as the treaties and apply to all areas embraced by the European Union and where Member...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (3 Jul 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together. I have made no appointments to State Boards, bodies or committees since 24 May, 2007. Appointments in respect of the independent members of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) are in the process of being finalised. Following the recent General Election, the membership of the Oireachtas Strand of the National Economic and...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (3 Jul 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Office of the Attorney General requested legal publishing experts, Thomson Roundhall Ltd., to provide a solution to the "section hyperlink data error" in the electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB). This work began on the 25 April, 2007. The project involved the checking of legislation from 1922 to 1998 to find and correct instances of the error. The majority of this checking could be...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (3 Jul 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Since I replied to Parliamentary Question No. 12 on this matter from Deputy Joe Higgins on 20 March, 2007, a number of competitions have been advanced. Four Advisory Counsel Grade III are to take up duty on dates between 9 July and mid-September with a further 3 on dates to be arranged. 5 Legal Researchers have taken up duty with another 1 to take up duty later in July, 1 Higher Executive...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (3 Jul 2007)

Bertie Ahern: No such appointments have been made as yet. The Attorney General does, however, propose to appoint a Special Assistant and a Personal Assistant.

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I shall not need that length of time, and I do not accept that I have in any way misled the House. As regards any matter I may have expanded on, I do not believe that I have misled the House. As regards the second question, as far as I am concerned I have totally and absolutely — and my legal team believes the same — co-operated with the tribunal in every way that I possibly and...

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I shall be dealing with some of these issues at greater length. It is my view and the view of those who advised me that I made discovery in accordance with the requirements of the tribunal. The chairman of the tribunal has made it clear there are no suggestions that there are documents I failed to discover. The Deputy is making reference to two items, in particular to the money I...

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I congratulate Deputy Gilmore on his first opportunity to contribute as leader of the Labour Party. I wish him longevity and a long period in office. I have had the terrible misfortune of dealing with so many leaders of the Labour Party I——

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I thank the Deputy.

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Seriously, I wish the Deputy well. Deputy Eamon Gilmore has served in this House with distinction since 1989. He has an onerous task and I wish him well. I join Deputy Eamon Gilmore in expressing my sympathy to the families and colleagues of the two firemen who lost their lives while serving on the fire brigade. I would like to respond to Deputy Gilmore's questions about the value in...

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2007)

Bertie Ahern: As Deputy Gilmore knows, I have had to attend a number of tribunals — not just the Mahon tribunal — over recent years to answer questions about various matters.

Leaders' Questions (26 Sep 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is my obligation as a Member of the House — notwithstanding the fact that I am an office holder — to act in such a manner. That I will continue to do so does not create any difficulty for me or distract me from my job, although it might mean I have to work longer and more demanding hours at times. That is how it has been and how it is likely to continue. I assure the House that I...

Constitutional Amendments. (26 Sep 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. On 3 November 2006, I proposed a referendum on the place of children in the Constitution. I asked the then Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to initiate a process of consultation and discussion with the Dáil parties and all relevant interest groups. The then Minister of State, Deputy...