Results 10,241-10,260 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Social Partnership. (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin for his good wishes, which I appreciate. A number of reports were published by NESF in its work programme, including on improving the delivery of quality public services, the arts, cultural inclusion and social cohesion, mental health, creating a more inclusive labour market, early childhood care and education, and the report mentioned by the Deputy on care for...

Social Partnership. (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Discussions on the fair deal legislation are ongoing between the Departments and Attorney General. It is hoped the legislation will be ready shortly. On low pay, Deputy Ó Caoláin will have seen the European Union charts which show that year after year Ireland, through the minimum wage and its tax policy of keeping low paid workers out of the tax net, is more committed to ensuring a better...

Social Partnership. (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Regarding the HSE and Labour Court issues, the Government has always honoured Labour Court recommendations. The Government, with its officials, tries to assist agencies or organisations in resolving difficulties. An enormous amount of commitment and effort has been put into dealing with the issues that arose last September in respect of the embargo which it was perceived by workers had to...

Social Partnership. (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Higgins has asked me approximately 30 questions.

Social Partnership. (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: His basic point was that there is another side to the argument other than competitiveness. I thought I made it clear earlier that of course there is another side. Workers understand that to keep the jobs of everybody they must be competitive but that does not mean they are not receiving gains. The social partnership process has delivered gains in return for productivity, competitiveness...

Social Partnership. (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: On the Exchequer figures, the tax profile was to be 24% and it was 23% so it is very close to target. Income taxes are up by 5%. As I said about the February figures, the capital gains tax is reduced — it is the property development side that is down. This area has been extremely healthy for the past number of years but other tax heads are pulling it up. Like every economy, since the...

Social Partnership. (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Whenever a company closure occurs the State agencies, namely, Enterprise Ireland, FÁS and others, under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment actively work and usually move to put in place a taskforce strategy to assist redundant workers or workers who will lose their jobs. Companies have obligations and it is true that on many occasions it is left to the State to operate...

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Order of Business is No. 5, Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Private Members' business shall be No. 31, motion re rate of unemployment, which shall also take place tomorrow immediately after the Order of Business and shall be brought to a conclusion after 90...

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The health (long-term residential care services) Bill is proving to be complex. The Minister is anxious to ensure that full consideration is given to the issues before publication. We hope to have the Bill shortly; it is at an advanced stage. It is expected that the stamped draft will issue soon and we hope it will be published shortly thereafter, that is, before the summer. In regard to...

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It will be either 6 or 7 May. The House normally does not sit on the Tuesday following a bank holiday. In that case, it will be the opening business on the morning of Wednesday, 7 May.

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It will take effect from that date.

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, exactly.

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I have already stated that the health (long-term residential care services) Bill is intended to be published in this session. The eligibility for health and personal social services Bill and the nurses and midwives Bill are both listed for 2009. The reason for the delay in the latter is the public consultation process that took place between 30 November 2007 and the end of February 2008....

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: There are no such proposals at this stage.

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The draft heads are being compiled in the Department. I do not have a date for publication but it is listed for 2008.

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The purpose of the foreshore amendment Bill is to update the provisions of all relevant legislation from 1933 to the present. The Bill will also apportion ministerial responsibility for the foreshore between the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is not possible to indicate a date for publication.

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: That legislation will be introduced in this session. On the health (long-term residential care services) Bill, the latest information I have received is that the stamped draft will issue soon from the Attorney General's office and should be published shortly thereafter. It should be published this session.

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Both of them are listed for this session.

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: That is a matter for the House.

Order of Business (2 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is expected that the latter Bill will be published next year. The alcohol products Bill, which is being prepared by the Department of Health and Children, is a separate Bill. It does not cover any of the recommendations which are being dealt with by the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, in a Bill sponsored by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. They are separate Bills.