Results 10,001-10,020 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Cabinet Committees. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Cabinet committee on climate change and energy security has met on three occasions since September 2007. The committee last met on 23 January 2008 and will meet again next month. The Deputy will be aware I have outlined to the House now on a number of occasions that Cabinet committees are an integral part of the Cabinet process. Questions as to the business conducted at Cabinet or...

Cabinet Committees. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Yes.

Cabinet Committees. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The committee was set up at the very end of September. That is four months ago and there have been three meetings, so I would consider it an active committee. The officials group meets separately. I explained recently in the House in answer to another question that all the issues regarding climate change and negotiations with the European Commission on the decisions made in January were all...

Cabinet Committees. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It has a good manager too.

Cabinet Committees. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I do not accept any of that. It is nonsense. This issue has been on the agenda for most meetings of the Cabinet over the past two years. The sub-committee was set up to deal with aspects of it and the officials group is working hard on it. The Deputy should put down a question to the relevant Minister whom I am sure would be glad to give the detail. I have been involved through social...

Official Engagements. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 21, inclusive, together. I visited South Africa between 13 and 15 January, accompanied by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Micheál Martin, and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for overseas development, Deputy Michael Kitt. The key objectives of the visit were to further develop...

Official Engagements. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I will make a number of points. Obviously, the Government will continue to try to develop a consensus on the undocumented Irish as it has done for the past few years. While I stated previously that it might be difficult to make much progress this year, we must continue to make our case. I will discuss it again with President Bush in a few weeks' time. On the new reform treaty, I have...

Official Engagements. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I have answered it.

Official Engagements. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I have answered the question and stated that, on the basis of positive advice from the Attorney General confirming the continuation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 in the aftermath of a declaration of independence, we are committed to maintaining our enhanced presence in KFOR, the UN-mandated international presence in Kosovo.

Official Engagements. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The point is that the UN-mandated international military presence in Kosovo has reaffirmed its position. The Attorney General has advised that there is no difficulty for Ireland and we are, therefore, anxious to stay and maintain our position.

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 2, the Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; and No. 16, the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 — Second Stage (resumed), to adjourn not later than 7 p.m. tonight. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall...

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: We will allow extra time for it.

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: A foreshore (amendment) Bill is listed, the purpose of which is to update the provisions of all the Acts from 1933 to date, but I do not have a date for its publication and I understand the heads of it have not been drafted. Its publication will be some way off.

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: As Deputy Burton said, it is not possible to indicate a date for its publication, but I will make the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform aware of the views of Deputies Flanagan and Burton.

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the criminal justice (miscellaneous provisions) Bill were approved some time ago but it was necessary to undertake a restructuring of the Bill to make provision for other matters and requirements that were not originally anticipated at that stage. The heads of the Bill had been approved before that decision was made. It is expected to publish the Bill in mid-summer. I do not...

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of that Bill have not yet been drafted. Its purpose is to bring into effect the comprehensive legislation to address noise pollution, but it has not advanced very far.

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I answered the second question, yesterday. The heads of the civil partnership Bill are in preparation. On the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill, the legislative proposals in regard to the powers and functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta are being considered in the wider context of recommendations contained in the linguistic study of the Gaeltacht. A Cabinet sub-committee, chaired by the Tánaiste,...

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Fines Bill was published on 30 January 2007. I am not sure why it is not being taken, but I understand it has been published. The draft heads of the intoxicating liquor Bill are in preparation, as I mentioned earlier.

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill is due this session. I am not sure precisely what week it will be published, but it is due this session. I understand there was some consultation around Christmas with the organisations, but perhaps that is not correct.

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The merchant shipping (miscellaneous provisions) Bill is to provide enabling powers for maritime safety provisions. The draft heads have just been approved by Government and the Bill has gone for full drafting.