Results 1,121-1,140 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister, Deputy Ahern, made those points again last week at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. The terms have not changed since 17 November. We are still making the same points. On the second question, everyone felt that the best way to deal with the issue was to get a Cory-type investigation, an investigation that emanated from the Weston Park talks. It was felt that kind...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Mr. Justice Barron has two outstanding issues to complete in his work — the bombings in Castleblayney and Dundalk — and he will complete them in April. That will be the end of his work. The answer to the question on the Garda Commissioner is "Yes" and I welcome the statement he made when he addressed this issue. The Garda has now established liaison arrangements with victims and those...

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On 16 December the Tánaiste said she had asked for the report to be delivered by 1 March. The Government received the report this morning at its weekly meeting. It is a long, detailed and very important report, which the Government discussed this morning for the first time. It is a report into the handling of charges for persons in public long-term stay places of the Department of Health and...

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the report in advance of its publication other than to express my thanks and that of the Government to Mr. Travers for undertaking the investigation.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Obviously the measures to be taken in respect of charges that were levied remain to be determined.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Government will proceed to take appropriate decisions on the issue, having regard to the Travers report, at the earliest possible opportunity.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Last week, Opposition Members taunted me that I would not publish this report before the by-elections. They have now changed their position.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The system whereby the Government receives a report at 10.30 a.m. on a Tuesday and must issue it within a few hours is unfeasible.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There seem to be 20 Deputy Kennys all of a sudden.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I listened very carefully to Deputy Kenny without any interruption from Members on this side of the House. The concept that a report should just appear and that I should immediately be answerable for it is not reasonable. It is sometimes a good idea to read reports and that is what I would like to do.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Government must study the report and there will be a debate in due course.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The report will be published within 24 hours of its receipt by the Government after little discussion and debate. That is record speed and nobody can say to the contrary. It is a nonsense that a report can be pushed through and debated in no time.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Government received the report this morning and is considering it. One does not take a 164 page report as part of a Government discussion and expect everybody to read it for seven or eight hours.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The meeting was at 10.30 a.m. Opposition Members must get real about what happens in Government procedure.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Members will know the contents of the report tomorrow and will need to take time to study it.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will try to answer Deputy Kenny's question. It has been decided to circulate a copy of the Travers report to all Members of the House to enable a considered review of its findings and recommendations. Each Member will receive a copy tomorrow. This procedure is being followed for two primary reasons. First, it is in this House that issues relating to accountability and Departments are...

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The printing arrangements have been authorised to ensure all Members will have a copy of the report tomorrow.

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: This report covers the period from the summer of 1976 and deals with all the issues. I am studying the report, as are my colleagues who only received it today. We have received advice as to how the report should be handled. It will be put out to a committee of the House and will be available within 24 hours despite the claims that we would not make it. I could say many things about the...

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The report will be published within 24 hours. No press conference organised for today, tomorrow or any other time. The Attorney General's advice was sought because of possible litigation that can arise from reports of this nature. The advice was that the way to publish it was through the Oireachtas and I have made provisions in that regard. People would not be advised to try to deal with it...

Leaders' Questions. (8 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I caution the House on this matter. The report is over 160 pages.