Results 1,281-1,300 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy asked a question and when I try to answer it he is interrupting me. I also said that if people want to read the report and have a debate tomorrow, perhaps the best way of doing that is by way of statements. When people have studied the report further we could have a further debate. It is a major issue of a financial——

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Members may discuss the matter with the Whips today. I am trying to find an ordered way of getting the report into the public domain and properly before the House. That is what we propose to do in No. a9 and we can have the debate tomorrow. I have suggested there should be statements and the Whips may discuss that. I have also suggested that we can come back to the matter after the St....

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill is to allow for the more effective and efficient operation of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse and it should be available in the next week or so.

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There are a number of issues about which I will be asked in the United States. In lots of ways, I would, if I found the circumstances, get some clarity on them. I have been through this before and I know the committee and members on Capitol Hill will ask about them. The statement is an extraordinary one and while it is not our practice to comment, the only statement in which I am interested...

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On tomorrow's debate, as I said earlier, I thought we would have statements, but I am open to change that if Deputy Rabbitte believes it would be helpful if the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, answered questions and clarified the issues. I would be happy to arrange with the Government Whip to allocate part of the time available to do that.

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny inquired about the issue involving Deputy Callely. In the discussions on the report Deputy Callely stated that the issue was mentioned to him and he noted on the side of the minute that he would raise it with me. He stated that during a vote on that day or some days after he mentioned to me that the issue of eligibility and entitlement was raised at the meeting and that the...

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I met members of the McCartney family yesterday. Other Members of the House have also met them. I am aware that Deputy Kenny went to Belfast to meet them. I am sure Deputy Rabbitte and others have had similar meetings. We must get one thing straight once and for all. I say calmly that murder is murder, no matter who commits it. A crime is a crime, no matter who commits it. Everyone is equal...

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: That is what the Government wants. It is what everybody in this House wants. It is what the Irish people want. They want no more and no less. It is not complicated. We have been saying this endlessly for several weeks now. I am not interested in hearing whether this represents some positive move by the IRA. Neither do I want to take issue by saying it is not. I am not interested in hearing...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together. In 1999, the Secretary General in my Department assigned responsibilities to assistant secretaries, under section 9 of the Public Service Management Act, for overseeing the management of their divisions in line with the outputs specified in their business plans and the resources allocated to them or under their control. Under these...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (9 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 and the Public Service Management Act 1997 set out clearly the legal position of Government Ministers and Departments. Section 3 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 restates the responsibility of Ministers for the performance of functions which are assigned to their Department. Section 2(1) of the Act of 1924 provides that each Minister shall be a...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (22 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The amounts paid by my Department in 2004 for car mileage, rail and bus ticket expenses are as follows: Expense Total Amount paid in 2004 â'¬ Car Mileage Expenses 88,660* Rail Ticket Expenses 3,871 Bus Ticket Expenses 2,699 *This amount includes car mileage expenses paid to delegates of the National Forum on Europe and the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation and to members of...

Written Answers — Official Languages Act: Official Languages Act (22 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: My Department published a notice on 2 December 2004 under section 13 of the Official Languages Act 2003 inviting representations in relation to the preparation of the draft scheme from any interested parties. The cost of the publication was €6,862. Some 12 submissions were received from a range of Irish language organisations and from private individuals. My Department is in the process of...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (22 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The number of appointments made by me to public boards and bodies under the aegis of my Department for the past three years and salaries, where applicable, are set out in the following table: Organisation and Position Name Date of Appointment Salary Law Reform Commission President Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness Judge of the Supreme Court 22 February 2005...

Written Answers — Employment Statistics: Employment Statistics (22 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together. The latest relevant statistics from the census of industrial production and the annual services inquiry in 2002 are set out in the following table: Total Persons Engaged Industry Services No. of enterprises % No. of enterprises % 1-9 1,962 39.3 67,025 87.8 10-49 2,082 41.6 7,716 10.1 50 or over 952 19.1...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (22 Mar 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The amount paid by my Department in 2004 in respect of car mileage to employees of the Department was €47,896. The total mileage covered by these claims was 53,586 miles.

Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. There are no specific plans at present to hold any referenda during 2005. The treaty to establish a constitution for Europe was signed at a ceremony in Rome on 29 October 2004. Member states of the EU must have completed their ratification processes by 1 November 2006. As the Deputies will be aware, I have indicated my intention to...

Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As I stated there is no Government decision on the matter yet but the referendum has to take place before 1 November 2006. Preparations are already under way. Work on the legislation is under way. A Bill will come before the House sooner rather than later. The Referendum Commission will then put forward the balanced arguments as per the procedures. An explanatory document on the EU...

Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I agree with all the points made by the Deputy. The sooner the House deals with the legislation the better and, if possible, I would like to complete it. The establishment of the commission is crucial and that depends on the legislation. The information can then be dealt with in the manner outlined by the Deputy, with which I agree. A decision on the date for the referendum can then be...

Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The periodical Eurobarometer polls indicate a high level of support in Ireland for the European constitution. However, it is clear that a job must be done to ensure all citizens are informed. We have already published an explanatory guide to the constitution and will publish a White Paper. The Referendum Commission, which will be established shortly, will be given the resources to ensure that...

Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The question on the Referendum Commission being able to commence its work will be addressed when the referendum Bill is brought before the House. It is intended to introduce it as soon as possible. This is in everyone's interest and will allow us to proceed with the debate and associated issues. It is the obligation of each member state to pass and ratify the EU constitution. Regardless of...