Results 9,301-9,320 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

National Drugs Strategy: Statements (29 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Tá mé sásta go bhfuil díospóireacht againn inniu faoin straitéis náisiúnta drugaí. When this issue was raised for debate last week, I was happy to encourage the Dáil to consider the subject. A number of important issues arise in terms of the use of illegal drugs in society which need to be addressed. In addition, I wish to set out the Government's strategy for dealing with this...

National Drugs Strategy: Statements (29 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Whenever the debate is interesting I will be here.

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, together. I will first deal with the question on EU law. Transposition and implementation of EU law is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant Departments and Ministers. My Department has a monitoring role in the timely transposition of EU legislation into Irish law, through the Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: As soon as the agreement is completed next week, with whatever final issues might be included the Attorney General will give a formal legal judgment. The outcome is not in doubt. However we must go through this legal process. Then the treaty will be signed. We must then turn our minds to the date to bring forward referendum legislation to allow us to hold the referendum. We must put the...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny asked a number of questions. With regard to the poll, it will always be shown that in a referendum, whatever the issue is, a large proportion of people will be in the "Don't Know" category. This poll shows we need the maximum amount of information out there. In fairness to the public, they go about their everyday business and cannot be expected to follow the minute level of...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We have made an arrangement and we all know fundamental changes will occur in respect of the Common Agricultural Policy. In Berlin in 1999, during the Irish Presidency and on the previous two Financial Perspectives, we have successfully pushed that down the road. On the most recent occasion, it was the agreement and understanding that we would move to single farm payments and reform the...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I acknowledge Deputy Gilmore's and the Labour Party's support for the reform treaty. As I said, the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, and I will discuss these issues with the party leaders. Obviously, we want to develop a strategy which will have the treaty passed. To do that, we need the large number of people who support the Government and the other parties to support the treaty. On...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I imagine that the Foreign Affairs Ministers will discuss Russia in some form or other. Each EU Presidency would have a report back on their own summit with Russia. I am sure it will generate some discussion. It will probably take a week or so before a comprehensive report is given to the Foreign Affairs Council on that but I would be surprised if it is not discussed by the Foreign Affairs...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: There are a number of points here. During the negotiations on 2016 we spent a long time coming to agreement on this issue. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, has been preparing legislation on the agency Bill, which we are anxious to bring forward. We also have the employment compliance Bill. We have employed additional inspectors and we are due to increase...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has made clear our position on Brazilian beef and safety and veterinary standards. She also made clear in the Agriculture Council what she is trying to achieve. We must remember it is a collective position; we do not act unilaterally but in agreement. The Minister has set out our position and the Deputy would need to put down a question on...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Burton is correct in stating that I will be attending that summit meeting. Last summer I stated my views on the Zimbabwean regime when we were discussing the EU-African Summit. Some considerable time has been spent trying to arrange it. In fairness to the Portuguese Presidency, which is well positioned, it put a lot of effort into trying to make it happen over the past year and a...

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am loath to get into questions I have to answer in the tribunal because it upsets the learned gentlemen. While I accept that I have a job in this House, it is unfair if I have to have a tribunal here and another outside.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will try to answer Deputy Kenny's questions briefly. I thanked Mr. O'Connor and I have no doubt whatever about that. I accepted the money as a loan from the individual who gave it to me. On the third question, I cannot be certain, but that is my recollection.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I answered that.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I said I will.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Ceann Comhairle——

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If Deputy Kenny wonders what I said a few years ago in the public domain, I answered about that extensively in the House two weeks later, back in 2006. I believe I have answered all the other questions as well. My position is as it was. It is my absolute belief that I thanked Padraic O'Connor in January 1994. I accepted the payment on a loan basis. As the Deputy knows, it was to pay the...

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Please. Deputy Kenny has just tried to embarrass me into answering him, but I shall try to do it, anyway. I know Deputy Kenny's office continuously refers to €300,000, but the tribunal clarified the figure as £39,000, so why are we getting into that? I did not speak yesterday. Although it is not always easy, I do my best to show a civil attitude towards the media when they turn up....

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——-as regards it being a loan. The Deputy should not follow his script, when I did not reply with what he thought I would say. When I answer, he should not say I have no answer. Deputy Kenny asked me a straight question and——

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I accepted it on the basis that it was a loan from the individual who gave it to me. If I can make this——--