Results 9,681-9,700 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Public Service Pay. (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: ——and the rules have not worked out as good this time as they did the last time. That is the position and if affects politicians and others. As TDs we decided to link ourselves to the principal officer grade and that does not show a 1.9% increase this time for most of the Members of the Oireachtas. That is the system that is in operation and it is considered to be a far fairer and...

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 6, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 7, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a Council framework decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to judgments in criminal matters imposing custodial sentences; and No. 11, statements on the reports of the Joint Committee on...

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I was not aware that there was this view among any of the Deputies, from Sinn Féin or the Labour Party.

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I was asked last year on a number of occasions if I would have a debate in the House on this issue. I was pressed before Christmas and I stated that, unfortunately, we could not fit in a debate before Christmas.

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is a debate.

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is an opportunity for Members of the House to express their views on these issues, and that is what I will do.

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I consider this a debate where we can express our views. If, as Deputy Costello mentioned, somebody on another occasion wants to take some comprehensive motion and get agreement from everybody on that and the full range, perhaps that can be examined on another day. This is an opportunity which people have sought for many months. I have spent an enormous amount of time dealing with Justice...

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is a technical point whether this is statements, a debate or a motion.

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: This is an opportunity, if people have an interest in contributing to this and putting forward their views. If somebody wants to do something more comprehensive again, we can listen to that. This is the first I have heard that these statements are not satisfying what Members' want.

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Chief Whip has informed me he is scheduling a debate on the Paul Quinn murder for Thursday next week.

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: There will be three Bills in the House next week.

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny also raised the water charge issue. The Government made its decision and issued a statement on that some weeks ago. The Deputy could put down a question on the matter for the Ministers involved. The Government has discussed the issues surrounding the EU referendum. It also discussed the suggestion made by Deputy Kenny. We have asked the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and the...

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Government has a firm view. It is better to deal with that issue first, as the Deputy's letter suggested. If that is not possible, it means the EU referendum will be held alone. We were considering whether we could include the comprehensive children's issue as part of the EU referendum but it is not possible. I understand there is too much work and it is just not possible to have it...

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: On the last question, legal issues arose which have now by and large been resolved. The Attorney General was directly involved in those issues and the questions raised have been resolved. If the consultations have not taken place, they are due to take place soon. The Bill is listed for this session and the Minister for Health and Children is anxious that it be dealt with in this session....

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: There are different reasons in the various cases. The Sports Council (amendment) Bill is in category A and will be published in the spring. Officials working on the Bill are engaging in consultation with the Department of Finance about various issues, including the National Coaching and Training Centre. The enforcement provisions in the broadcasting Bill are the subject of a legal review...

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: So I am told.

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I understand so. I am not sure what day it will be published. It was cleared today.

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: A few days.

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Two weeks.

Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 was published on Monday, with the intention of starting the consideration of the Bill on Thursday of next week. It is obvious that the debate on the Bill will continue for some time. People will have plenty of time to engage in consultation.