Results 9,521-9,540 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Transport will examine the recommendations made in the report given to us, but both have already made the point that there are serious questions about the effectiveness of the inspection regime proposed by the commission. We have explained this in detail to it. No other European country has such a regime. There is an issue about highlighting Shannon...

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Why put Shannon Airport on the international map as a place where something is happening, when several reports have examined the issue and found no validation? That is the point that has been made.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The review fails to do justice to the extent to which the Government has been active on the issue of extraordinary rendition, both domestically and on the international stage. However, I am glad to note that it acknowledges the commitments given in the programme for Government which we will implement. As I mentioned, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has already called at EU level for a...

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——and will continue to comply with the highest international standards——

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——but going beyond what everybody else in the world is doing for an airport when there is not a scintilla of evidence that anything has ever happened——

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——would not be a good idea.

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. In the civic life section of the programme for Government my Department has direct responsibility for the active citizenship and volunteering section. While, as Head of Government, I have an oversight role in respect of all aspects of the programme for Government, I do not have direct responsibility for the implementation of the...

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The electoral commission for local elections and the register are matters for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, to whom a question should be tabled. One of the task force's recommendations was that an electoral commission be set up. That matter is being examined within the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is the...

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is intended to fulfil the Government's commitment to establish an electoral commission. Deputy Gilmore should table a question to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government who is handling the matter. There will be an electoral Bill next year. The period of office of some members of the Standards in Public Office Commission has come to an end and the Minister for...

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know if there is such a protocol, but it is a matter for the Minister for Finance.

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is in the interest of democracy, regardless of what side we serve, to get people active and involved. Whatever way they vote, we get satisfaction from seeing a higher turnout, particularly in national elections. It is part of good citizenship and community activity and is one of the recommendations of the report. The report was the result of significant work, including a roadshow that...

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I cannot remember the actual Bill, but I know there is action in that regard. The Attorney General also had an interest in progressing that issue. Another issue mentioned in the House recently, on which I have tried to get people working, is that some of the most significant obstacles to volunteering throughout the country are insurance and liability, which are related to the issue raised...

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: To answer the Deputy's last question first, there is a far greater effort being made now that the group insurance scheme has been opened to members of local authorities and voluntary forums. This should be provided widely among relevant organisations. As I said, insurance is one of the recurring barriers to active citizenship cited at public consultation meetings. The scheme has...

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill was due to be introduced before Christmas, but the Minister for Finance has been tied up with other issues. The Standards in Public Office Commission may have sent back a few amendments, but the Bill is ready to be brought before the House.

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes.

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I assume the Deputy is referring to the new Irish. The survey showed that engagement and involvement among this sector were poor. The number of immigrants began to increase from the early 1990s. I cannot remember the figure for active involvement in society but it was not impressive. It was signalled that they should undertake new activities. Cumann Lúthchleas Gael put a big effort into...

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know the specific issues around the Defence Forces gymnasium but, as a general rule and principle, wherever the State puts in infrastructure or taxpayers' money is going to provide facilities, whether directly to clubs, associations or organisations or to something in the State's hands, we should maximise its use. It is ridiculous that, as can be seen in some areas, there are a few...

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Whatever — maybe we all should do it. The halls can then be used by young people when they get out of school.

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: That is how the facilities should be used. Without knowing the particular case, that is what should happen. We should maximise the use for people. We are a small country with 4,000 schools and cannot have a gymnasium outside every classroom, but we should maximise the use in cities, towns and villages.

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will be very clear — wherever it is practical to do so, which should be the case. The big obstacles we talked about earlier were insurance and litigation. I was recently in the University of Limerick, DCU and UCD. They are using their facilities for sports. The new schools being built by the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, in the Fingal area have increased space and...