Results 13,061-13,080 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to share time with the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Mary Hanafin. I congratulate the new Ministers, Deputies Killeen and Carey, and the new Ministers of State. I wish the former Ministers, Deputies Willie O'Dea and Martin Cullen, well. They were good colleagues at the Cabinet table for many years. I also wish Deputy Sargent well.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The primary goal of the partnership Government is recovery, working for Irish people and harnessing the positive values, abilities and determination of ordinary men and women. That means working towards jobs which are sustainable and making our society inclusive and socially just. The Government reshuffle is about renewal and today is about refocusing and reaffirming our absolute...

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: They deserve the concrete, costed and realistic policies that we have not seen from the far side of the House.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: That is why this Government's economic strategy is based on the goal of creating and sustaining jobs.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The recently launched IDA strategy has a target to create 100,000 jobs by 2014.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: A stimulus package that we have despite the economic downturn will bring about €40 billion in investment over the next six years in infrastructure. I have returned from France, where I spent St. Patrick's Day, and it was amazing to hear French business people marvel at the fact that despite the economic downturn, we were able to be one of the highest if not the highest spenders on...

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: They will operate on the basis of the excellent infrastructure we have put in place.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We have dealt with excise duties on alcohol and lowered VAT to assist hotels and the catering and retail sectors. We introduced a scrappage scheme which even the Opposition will accept has had a dramatic effect on the number of cars bought since the start of the year.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We have invested €600 million in research and development and science and technology. From my experience in Paris last week, it seems the improved tax incentives in research and development and intellectual property in the Finance Bill have helped. One business person suggested that we replicate in Ireland what they have in France in that respect but we were able to say that in December's...

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The remarks made by Deputy Kenny on education do not behove him. For once I agree with Deputy Ó Caoláin in that respect. Deputy Kenny went off his script and wrongly suggested that education was being downgraded but it is not.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It is certainly not being downgraded, particularly as we have put in a massive investment in education over the past number of years.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I will leave the matter on this point.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Garrett FitzGerald, Alan Dukes and John Bruton cannot be wrong on the tough decisions taken by this Government.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I know Deputy Rabbitte is the court jester but the fact is-----

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: -----they are not examining this from an independent point of view. They state that the Government has taken the correct decisions and has received no co-operation - apart from that offered in respect of the referendum on the Lisbon treaty - with regard to the decisions it has taken.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Fine Gael and the Labour Party should be truthful about the way the economic situation has been dealt with in the past number of years.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Those opposite should have given their support to the tough decisions we have taken. We will continue to take such decisions in the future.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Commissioner and I signed the contract for an outsourced safety camera network with the preferred service provider in November, 2009, following a tender and evaluation process. The service provider will be paid according to the level of service contracted for. The number of speeding drivers detected will have no effect on the level of payments to the service provider. The purpose...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am concerned at the incidence of burglaries and threats to the security of people's homes in Shannon Town and throughout the country. Consequently, one of the policing priorities which I set for An Garda Síochána in 2010 is achieving the maximum levels of safety for local communities. The Garda Commissioner shares my concerns. An Garda Síochána continually develop and implement...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (23 Mar 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Responsibility for the allocation of resources, including personnel, within the Force rests with the Garda Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team. Resource levels are constantly monitored, in conjunction with crime trends and other demands made on An Garda Síochána and the situation is kept under continuing review.