Results 1,861-1,880 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On Deputy Sargent's point about the Green Party, it has not been involved to date, but I certainly have no difficulty regarding engagement with our colleagues in the North and regular briefings. If that helps, I have no problem with that. The idea of consultation in bilateral——

Northern Ireland Issues. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, but even on previous occasions we tried to keep everyone on board, including the parties that had very little representation, such as the PUP and the UDP. I see as positive anything that helps and is supportive of the issue; I very much agree with that. Regarding a forum, we will have to see the initial reaction and response to the major outstanding issues before we see movement. The...

Leaders' Questions. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In the discussions last year and ever since, there has not been any change in that. As the debts of Shannon and Cork airports related to Aer Rianta they were considered to be the responsibility of Dublin Airport and were to be taken into account as part of the Dublin operation. Obviously the business plans and the business programmes have to come back but the question in Cork where they were...

Leaders' Questions. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: To the best of my knowledge, this is the first I have heard of what the Deputy is saying. Cork and Shannon airports were to proceed, as per the agreements last year, with the establishment of Cork and Shannon airport authorities as separate companies, initially with no assets or staff. They were to prepare their plans. Dublin was always seen to be carrying the debt for them and the cashflow...

Leaders' Questions. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I did not see the "Prime Time" programme last night but received a briefing note thereon. Before dealing with the question, tax incentive schemes have been good in this country and have generated much economic activity. They were introduced with a view to providing incentives for economic development and not to enrich particular individuals. As Deputy Rabbitte knows, there is an ongoing...

Leaders' Questions. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have three brief points to make. Deputy Rabbitte raised the matter of tax incentives on last night's "Prime Time", which was what the entire programme was about.

Leaders' Questions. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I thank Deputy Rabbitte. I appreciate that greatly and will thank him, personally, when I meet him. Second, as I understand it the Minister is looking at all of the allowances. The third point is that this particular mechanism does not just relate to a handful of people. I am not sure what the figure is but it is used by quite a lot of people. The argument which has been used for a long time...

Leaders' Questions. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Even if a person is non-resident, Irish people are liable to income tax on directorships, rental procedures and in other areas. It is not simply a black and white situation. We all know the types of people we are talking about.

Leaders' Questions. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: They are not chancers.

Leaders' Questions. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: They are significant Irish people who come back. As regards Deputy Rabbitte's question about whether this should be examined in the review, I have no difficulty with that.

Leaders' Questions. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy is highlighting an important issue about the activity of young people and the fact that they should be able to do some of that in school. Improved PE facilities account for a large part of the enormous amount of money being spent in upgrading schools. Any worthwhile initiative in this whole programme is, of course, good. The Deputy will agree that children spend less than 20% of...

Leaders' Questions. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: This issue is being dealt with across Departments. The huge amount being invested in recreational facilities in terms of sport and community facilities should be linked to schools because we would obtain much better use of such facilities. Under the capital programme approximately €2 billion has been spent in the area of education across schools. Approximately €3.5 million will be spent...

Order of Business. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 18, Disability Bill 2004 — Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage and Private Members' business shall be No. 46, motion re Aer Lingus.

Death of Students: Expressions of Sympathy. (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: With the permission of the House and in agreement with the party leaders, I want to say a few words about the terrible bus crash yesterday and express sympathy for the victims. Yesterday five young girls left their parents and homes to go to school. It was probably a normal day like any other school day but it was not to be so for very long. Those young women were not to return to their...

Order of Business (Resumed). (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Voluntary Health Insurance Board (Corporate Status) Bill is to alter the corporate status of the VHI. I do not have a date for it but I will bring the issue to the attention of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children.

Order of Business (Resumed). (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The broadcasting authority Bill is to establish a broadcasting authority and amend the RTE provisions. The legislation is due next year. The other Bill was taken off the list.

Order of Business (Resumed). (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not intend revising the constituencies. The decision to sell part of Aer Lingus is a matter for consultation. Aer Lingus must take advice on the matter. Strictly speaking it does not require legislation but does require regulations which would have to come before the House.

Order of Business (Resumed). (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is on Second Stage but I assume the Deputy is asking whether we can take it and finalise it.

Order of Business (Resumed). (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is listed for Second Stage in this House. I will ask the Government Whip to check on that. It probably has not started yet.

Order of Business (Resumed). (24 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I accept that.