Results 8,561-8,580 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: In relation to the man who stayed in the Four Courts Hotel, I have, as outlined in my reply, forwarded the relevant material to the appropriate authorities for their consideration. Regarding Justice for the Forgotten, there have been comprehensive examinations and all the work regarding Mr. Justice Hamilton, Mr. Justice Barron's report, the commission of investigation and the examinations...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Obviously, issues around the Finucane and other cases are continually raised with the British Government. At a meeting just before the summer I raised these issues with the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. There is no substantive discussion on collusion in the MacEntee report. It was the clear view of the Oireachtas committee that the issue of collusion could only be properly addressed by an...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I convey my sincere condolences and those of my Fianna Fáil colleagues to Seán Keegan's wife Mary and his children, Marie, Nan, Nuala, Tom and Gearóid on the sad loss of our former colleague and a loyal servant of the people of Westmeath. Seán was a stalwart of our party, on the county council, in the Seanad and here in the Dáil. He was a committed republican and a politician who took...

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 2, Charities Bill 2007 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; and No. 3, Fines Bill 2007 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 18, motion re fire services (resumed), to conclude at 8.30 p.m. if not previously concluded.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The constitutional referendum Bill will be brought forward some time next year provided that matters are finalised at the December European Council meeting. I understand the European constituency review report will be published next month. I am not sure how far work has progressed on the Dáil electoral review. The report is due on the electoral amendment Bill on 25 October and the...

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I understand the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is consulting with various interested parties on this matter and hopes to introduce amendments during this session. The Bill is ordered for Second Stage.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The national road safety strategy is being reviewed by the Government and will be taken shortly. The harbours Bill will implement certain aspects of the port policy statement of January 2005. The heads of the Bill are not yet ready but it is listed for next year.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The draft general scheme of the nurses and midwives Bill is at an advanced stage. I will raise the issue of the heads with the Minister and the legislation should be in the House in the next session.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is. These issues will be dealt with under the proposals for the upcoming referendum on children's rights. It will give effect to the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Child Protection.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not believe there is a provision to make time. The committee responsible for European affairs has not yet been set up.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We are trying to deal with it. Perhaps we will have a meeting on the issue before the December Council meeting. With regard to the opt-out proposal, I saw some references this morning that are not correct. The current position is that justice and home affairs issues are dealt with through unanimity. We are moving to a position of qualified majority voting, QMV. Most issues will create no...

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I negotiated the emergency brake and I know precisely what it does and does not do. The emergency brake would not cover those issues.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Every second issue would require the use of the emergency brake and that was not its intention. On qualified majority voting, with the British having put forward their position — which the Deputy knows is different from that in 2004 — we have to protect our position. In a limited number of areas where QMV would operate and which would be against the Irish interest, we would have to opt...

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I have been in touch with people involved in this in other countries and there is a total understanding of the Irish position so it is not correct that there is great concern.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy, having asked a question, does not listen to the answer. That is a bad habit. The difference is that the British changed their position from the 2004 position. Decisions made in the Justice and Home Affairs Council were for many years based on unanimity. Differences exist not only in our common law systems but also in the way we look at legal positions and how such positions...

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The suggestion regarding the European prosecutor is totally at variance with our legal system. That is one example but there are others. As Deputy Jim O'Keeffe is well aware, that would affect our common travel position. As already stated, however, not many areas will be affected. We must have that protection in place because otherwise the country would be placed at a disadvantage in a...

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Government has a clear view on this issue. We are of the opinion that the best course of action is to make a declaration. We will prepare the latter in the coming days and I will outline its contents next week when our deliberations on this matter are complete.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I must look to the Leader of the Opposition in this regard. I replied to a question from a member of his party. If Deputy Kenny makes a request to me, I will consider it.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: As stated at the outset, the Government made a decision to prepare a declaration and it will do so. That declaration is consistent with our position throughout but it takes account of the changed circumstances, particularly in the context of what the UK Government decided at the June European Council meeting. There is no divergence of opinion among the Departments of Justice, Equality and...