Results 9,081-9,100 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The first answer which I have given is short. There is private sector involvement with the four councils in Dublin. The incinerator project received An Bord Pleanála approval and must go through the EPA process and meet whatever other standards with which it must comply. If it complies with them, it can go ahead.

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I also replied to the second question. The Minister, Deputy Gormley, has indicated the overall capacity required nationally for incineration or thermal treatment. If we increase recycling and MBT capacity, we can reduce the residual fraction of waste to 400,000 tonnes in the next seven years. That is what the Minister and his Department will endeavour to achieve.

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: As the Deputy knows, this decision has been awaited for a considerable time. The incinerator is provided for in the Dublin regional waste management plan.

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: This plan is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authorities, led by Dublin City Council. While the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has certain powers under the Act in regard to the plan, they are limited. He does not have powers that could halt the Poolbeg incinerator project.

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister has powers to promote waste management policies. This is becoming a recycling society; we are moving away from a throwaway culture. Recycling rates are increasing rapidly. We are using modern, environmentally safe methods for the final disposal of non-recyclable material. The Minister is driving this policy forward. There is concerted enforcement to tackle illegal waste...

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 3, Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; Private Members' business shall be No. 16, motion re national educational psychological service.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On the first matter raised by the Deputy, there are nine Bills in committees and we are committed to publishing 17 Bills this session. Admittedly, at the moment a number of those Bills are caught up in committee so it will take a week or so before there is further legislation. A number of Bills are coming through, however. There is no intention that the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill applies to...

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The force commander, Lieutenant-General Nash, is not yet satisfied because at least two, or maybe more, logistical issues have to be resolved. The Government is obviously giving its approval but subject to when the force commander is satisfied. It is a great honour that he is an Irish man, but that is neither here nor there in this instance. It is his call and at the moment there are a few...

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The electoral Bill is due before the House next year.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005 is based on the work of the Law Reform Commission and that has not changed.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: With regard to the rules of the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO, the Green Party has discussed the matter and its members are quite entitled to follow their long-standing practice to help fund the party through donating a portion of their salaries on an annual basis. Under SIPO's rules, they can do that.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy should table a parliamentary question to the line Minister regarding the Green Paper. The electoral Bill will be taken next year. The entire reform of the local government system in line with the programme for Government would only delay the revision of constituencies. Last week Members stated this should not be delayed unduly. I have stated it could take a number of months,...

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: No.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If the Whips would like to discuss this, I have no problem with that. I am sure they can get some time.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: No, perhaps the Deputy should table a question to the line Minister.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Some of them have been.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I understand the legislation is nearly ready. I will have to discuss the matter with the Minister for Health and Children but I will raise the Deputy's concerns.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The following tables detail all travel for official purposes which has been undertaken by myself and Ministers of State assigned to my Department, since the establishment of the current Government in June 2007 up to the end of October 2007. The costs included refer only to commercial flights and do not refer to any details in relation to the Ministerial Air Transport Service which are borne...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table. Freedom of Information Applications Received in the Department of the Taoiseach Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total 2003 21 29 30 10 11 7 13 6 4 2 6 3 142 2004 1 8 2 4 1 5 3 3 0 12 1 5 45 2005 2 3 1 2 2 7 6 5 5 16 5 7 61 2006 9 1 4 7 6 4 4 5 5 3 3 3 54 2007 14 1 8 4 2 6 9 10 — 4 2* ...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: During the past ten years, EU funding was received by my Department in 2006, 1998 and 1997. Details of the amounts received are listed as follows: EU Funding received in 2006 The sum of €47,604 was received in relation to the eGovernment Project. EU Funding received in 1998 The sum of IR£42,000 (€53,359) was received in relation to projects carried out under the "Communicating Europe"...