Results 1,461-1,480 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Burton has failed to acknowledge that there are excellent facilities in her constituency.

Leaders' Questions. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have answered Deputy Ó Caoláin's question.

Leaders' Questions. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I remind Deputy Ó Caoláin that the provision of an additional €1 billion can hardly be described as a cutback. I hope the resources being invested in the health system will solve all the problems in that sector. The Deputy made a point about beds and facilities. He said that people should be able to access step-down places. Nobody has said that the controversy about nursing home charges...

Leaders' Questions. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Out-of-hours services are being improved. As I said, access to MRI and CT scans has been increased.

Leaders' Questions. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There have been no cutbacks.

Leaders' Questions. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Health Service Executive——

Leaders' Questions. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: When one spends an extra €1 billion, one cannot refer to it as a cutback. It is obvious that the Deputy's mathematics are slightly different from mine.

Leaders' Questions. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Health Service Executive is putting in place a permanent system of audit and inspection for cleanliness in acute hospitals. The system is already working. The Government has provided money for the acute medical units and an MRI scanner will be acquired for Beaumont Hospital this year. An eminent physician in this city said recently that the new accident and emergency unit in...

Northern Ireland Issues. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 23, inclusive, together. The primary focus of my recent visit to Washington was Northern Ireland. I briefed President Bush and members of the US Congress on recent developments. I met civic leaders from Northern Ireland and the McCartney family at the White House. When I met Robert McCartney's sisters and partner again last Monday week, I reiterated our...

Northern Ireland Issues. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have tried to avoid entering any new initiatives. During the election campaign I want to be sensitive to all sides and parties and I do not want to say anything that might damage any of them. I am concerned, however, that during the campaign people will make statements and manifesto commitments that will make positions harder after the election. Depending on the results, we must deal with...

Northern Ireland Issues. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not want to make a categoric comment on a manifesto that is due out tomorrow. I do not know but from what I have read, and I have been following this issue, and if it is as it seems, it appears to reflect a hardening of their position, including ruling out the d'Hondt voting system. Without getting into the election, it is a core element of the Good Friday Agreement under which a...

Northern Ireland Issues. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I agree with Deputy Sargent that we should not practice megaphone diplomacy. Neither my colleagues nor I have done so for several weeks on any side. I will be careful and make brief points. I do not want to say anything for that reason about the DUP or the UUP. I will stay out of it and people will make their own decisions on the arguments. They will certainly not be influenced by me nor will...

Northern Ireland Issues. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I agree entirely with Deputy Rabbitte's last point. I agree also that it would defeat our purposes if Sinn Féin were to move away from the IRA but the IRA were to continue to function. While the Sinn Féin leadership is trying to bring the IRA into a new mode which excludes paramilitarism, we contend that the related criminality should also be excluded. They do not agree, but the ending of...

Northern Ireland Issues. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am not answerable for my party here, but I take the opportunity to say there is no directive. However, if people from my party, as they have traditionally done, want to spend their time——

Northern Ireland Issues. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: ——working, as they have done for many years, they are entitled to do so. We are a democratic political party. Our members are also entitled to go canvassing with the Deputy if they wish.

Northern Ireland Issues. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the issue of Pat Finucane, we have been dealing with all the points made by Deputy Ó Caoláin. We have taken up all the points he made. I met Geraldine Finucane and the Finucane family on two occasions recently which coincided with the 16th anniversary of the murder of Pat Finucane. It is well past time for a proper public inquiry to be held into this terrible case. Our objective is to...

Northern Ireland Issues. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I raised the issue because there is a great desire from first, second and third generation Irish people who now take a very active interest in Irish political and cultural affairs. I hoped that within the resources of the licence fee which we tried to increase it could perhaps be done, but I understand there is pressure. We should try to find a way of progressing this. What has happened in...

Order of Business. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 16, Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 2, Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Bill 2005 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 43, motion re housing (resumed) to conclude at 8.30 p.m.

Order of Business. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I join the other party leaders in congratulating Pope Benedict XVI on his election. It is an occasion of great joy all around the country, not for just Catholics, but for everyone. It is a time of great hope for Christians and people of goodwill everywhere. The former Cardinal Ratzinger is a man who has given his life in faithful service to the church. He has worked hard as a theologian and...

Order of Business. (20 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the building societies amendment Bill have been approved and the Bill is due for the autumn session. The alcohol products Bill is due late this year but it may be next year when it is taken.