Results 9,561-9,580 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Northern Ireland Issues. (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I have three points to make. I welcome what Deputy Ó Caoláin said on the Paul Quinn murder issue and reiterate that the Garda is receiving good co-operation. However, the assistance of everybody is needed in the gathering of information to help resolve what we all agree was an horrendous murder. It is important for the entire process, and more than anything else for the Quinn family,...

Northern Ireland Issues. (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, I had promised a debate on this and had tried to fit it in before Christmas, but there were just so many debates and so much pressure on time. However, I have asked the Government Whip to arrange for that debate at the beginning of February. My officials and I have continued, as has the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Ahern, to pursue all of the issues. We know the British...

Northern Ireland Issues. (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin.

Northern Ireland Issues. (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On the questions raised by a number of Deputies, I cannot judge on the basis of hearsay and anecdotal evidence or views but on the investigation of a very substantial team of gardaí involved in the case. I have to await their judgment and the outcome of their investigation of the matter. I have heard all the comments on the issue. There is no doubt that bringing a substantial number of...

Northern Ireland Issues. (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We have followed right through on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and I have committed to what I am doing, based on the Barron reports and the investigations of the Oireachtas. We have continued to pursue that issue. The Eddie Fullerton case was in a different category. I did meet the family at the Deputy's request and I will speak to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform as to...

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to Deputy Kenny, the education section of the programme for Government contains a commitment under the approved funding for schools heading, which states that the Government will examine the provision of waste and water allowances to schools and that charges will become effective after those agreed allowances are exceeded. That is the commitment contained in the programme for...

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Given the need to manage the transition to an appropriate new system and to enable conservation measures to be implemented to deal with such issues, the Government is considering the implementation of a transition period. This would involve the payment by schools of flat rate charges that are appropriate to the school size, which is what happens at present. During this period, schools would...

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Government has also sought legal advice from the Attorney General's office on its long-term options under the framework directive——

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——and, in particular, its entitlement to put in place a scheme that would apply to schools on an ongoing basis thereafter.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Perhaps I did not answer the questions in sequence but I thought that I had given a clear indication of the Government's intentions. The answer to Deputy Kenny's first question is "Yes". The directive requires member states to ensure no later than 2010 that water pricing policies in each member state will provide adequate incentives for users to use water resources effectively and thereby...

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: They should hold them.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: No, they should just hold them until the Government issues a more detailed statement.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Was that helpful?

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On the last question, the legislation referred to will be necessary and a separate Bill will have to be introduced by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, but the legislation must be prepared. It will probably have to be produced very shortly.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will explain that to the Deputy if he wishes.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: And more beds.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: In recent years there has been a growing preference for giving greater legal certainty to the underpinning of primary legislation. A number of powers have been exercised through secondary legislation and statutory instruments. The courts have given their judgment on the matter and the Attorney General has advised recently that the legislative basis for certain bodies created under the...

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: What the Deputy alleges is not the case. There are 19 bodies included in the legislation. It covers establishment orders for St. James's, Beaumont, St. Luke's and Leopardstown Park hospitals, in addition to the Dublin Dental Hospital, the National Haemophilia Council and the Drug Treatment Centre Board——

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will deal with co-location in a moment. These bodies are all covered by the legislation according to the judgment of the Attorney General. The Irish National Cancer Registry, the Women's Health Council, the National Council on Ageing and Older People——