Results 1,341-1,360 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (12 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill is being redrafted. I do not know if it will be ready for the autumn session or early next year.

Death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II: Motion. (12 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I move: That, as a tribute of respect to the memory of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Dáil Éireann sends an expression of its profound sadness and sympathy on the death of The Holy Father to His Eminence Cardinal Ratzinger, Dean of the College of Cardinals. It was an honour and privilege for me to attend the funeral of the late Holy Father as part of the national delegation led by...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (12 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I travelled to the United States on 15 March for St Patrick's Day, returning on 18 March. My programme included visits to Syracuse, New York, Baltimore and Washington. The official party consisted of the Second Secretary General of my Department, the Director of Northern Ireland Division, Government press secretary, special adviser, private secretary, personal assistant, security officer and...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There are no sections of my Department based outside Dublin and there are no proposals to decentralise any section of my Department or any of the bodies or agencies operating under its aegis. A significant part of the Central Statistics Office is already located in Cork.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together. My Department has not paid grants nor awarded financial assistance in the past three years to any groups such as those referred to in the Deputy's questions.

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (12 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The annual stipend fee for the Chairperson of the National Statistics Board is €7,618.43. The other bodies under the aegis of my Department are non-statutory.

Written Answers — Lisbon Agenda: Lisbon Agenda (12 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The European Council agreed at its meeting on 22 to 23 March that each member state will draw up a national action programme to implement the Lisbon Agenda and that member states will enhance their internal co-ordination arrangements to support national implementation. In the light of the European Council conclusions, I have been considering the co-ordination process which is in place here to...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: This is a matter of serious concern to the Government. The travelling public, particularly those who travel by air, are aware of the security issues arising from what has happened in many countries over the last four or five years. People understand the necessity of security searches and the delays which sometimes arise as a consequence. The Department of Transport conducts regular security...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to Deputy Kenny's questions, there are audits of Dublin Airport and the other airports. The point I was making is that they are not signalled in advance. This would obviously undermine their purpose, which is to ensure that security checks are carried out. In respect of the report in question and all other reports, the facilities are examined in detail and changes or recommendations...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Of course I know about it. As the Deputy inferred, I have known about people being involved in anti-social behaviour for 28 years and the kinds of difficulties that affect the Deputy's area, my area and others. I note the good work of the Garda over the years and the legislation we have passed in this House. This is reflected in my constituency where statistics produced this year, last year...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know what type of area Deputy Rabbitte represents——

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: ——but the problems he mentions have been around for 28 years and far longer.

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There are 14,000 gardaí.

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There are more gardaí than ever before.

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: A large proportion of gardaí policed the Border and were involved in Northern Ireland duties but when the ceasefire in Northern Ireland was declared this Government moved many of those gardaí back into urban areas to deal with anti-social behaviour and crime. That is why there has been a significant reduction in crime in many areas across the board.

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We have over 1,200 extra gardaí. We spend 90% more on the Garda Síochána than we did in 1997. We have put far more resources into the force than ever before, we have more Garda technology, manpower, facilities and prisons. Deputy Rabbitte asked——

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Labour Party Members are on cue this morning. As soon as the Taoiseach speaks they all start chattering. If they would stay quiet for a minute I could give them some facts.

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte stated that laws are no good but I am not sure what he is suggesting as the alternative. The only way we can deal with these issues is by having proper laws.

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I hope when we bring in tough orders that there will not be the usual lame approach to them.

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I recall what the Opposition said when two years ago a community garda in this city stood up to deal with the unfair elements. I answered in this House for that garda, who tried to clear out a few hooligans and vandals from the May Day celebrations. I was trying to defend the poor man. The Labour Party talks about community gardaí but give no support to community policing.