Results 1,041-1,060 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is three years since this was discussed. I do not know why it is being moved now. Negotiations were carried out a long time ago.

Order of Business. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is not listed. I imagine as soon as possible, so it can be cleared.

Order of Business. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is hoped to have this legislation in the House this year. It may be after summer but it is hoped to pass it in 2005.

Order of Business. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Cabinet has not made that decision yet. We will discuss it with the leaders of the main Opposition parties.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2005: First Stage. (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: No.

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (1 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The programme for my visit to the United States this month has yet to be finalised. However, I expect to participate in the traditional ceremonies at the White House and on Capitol Hill and to meet the Ireland America Economic Advisory Board in the course of my visit. Arrangements for attendance at St. Patrick's Day celebrations are not yet fully finalised. However, the Government Chief Whip...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have made my position clear on the prisoners who were involved in the murder of Jerry McCabe and the wounding of Ben O'Sullivan. There has been no change on this in the last six years. In 1999, the Provisional IRA prisoners were moved to the Grove area of Castlerea. It is an open prison, although it is not in any way luxurious. The procedures there are obviously less strict than elsewhere....

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The prison is secure but the regime is that of an open prison. Since 1970, the prisoners in Portlaoise got different treatment because of their structures. When the prisoners were moved to Castlerea, they continued to receive different treatment. I do not know about the operations regarding their food and so on, but I am told that——

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: They should be getting more traditional food.

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am told that it is not a situation of luxury. It is entirely inaccurate to describe the prisoners as being in control of the prison. The governor makes the operational decisions that he believes are necessary. The only matter discussed with the Sinn Féin leadership was in regard to the release of the prisoners. That was the only issue that concerned them.

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: That is certainly not what the Government is doing. Our policy is to respond to child care needs by increasing the availability of child care places through the implementation of the national child care strategy in the equal opportunities child care programmes. We also assist parents with the cost of caring for their children through the provision of significantly increased child benefit...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The decision was made some years ago that the provision of child benefit in this manner was the fairest approach to take. The equal opportunities child care programme was funded as a key element of the national economic development plan to increase the supply of centre-based child care places by 50% to 28,300.

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Funds have been committed to facilitate the creation of 33,000 new places. There are no plans to close centres. We are endeavouring to extend them under the equal opportunities programme.

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: None of the places in question existed a few years ago. They are all new.

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There was no system or order in the provision of child care places. Funding for the equal opportunities programme has increased from an original package of €318 million to €499 million. It is not the Government's policy to reduce places or close centres, it is, rather, to create more places.

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: To repeat a number of points——

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I would like to answer Deputy Rabbitte's questions, not those of his backbenchers. Expenditure on child benefit has increased four fold to assist people with children. I understand its purpose very well. Expenditure has increased from €500 million to €2 billion and it benefits everybody regardless of circumstances. Child care places have been increased by over 50%. When the approved...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It was acknowledged in numerous reports that the fairest approach with the best socio-economic impact was to provide child benefit to everyone regardless of income. There are still significant difficulties for young families, especially those with mortgages, whether they are in the commuter belt or not.

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The issue has already been identified as one to be dealt with in the next round of negotiations with the social partners. We should avoid glib comments to the effect that an increase from €500 million of taxpayers' money to €2 billion is nothing.

Leaders' Questions. (2 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Clonsilla.