Results 2,001-2,020 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Regulatory Reform. (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If I understand Deputy Ó Caoláin's point on the RIAs, he is saying that they should be done more efficiently and presented more openly. Is that it?

Regulatory Reform. (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, that they should be given in each case.

Regulatory Reform. (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, I am in favour of it.

Regulatory Reform. (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I have always followed that practice. I agree with Deputy Ó Caoláin on this issue although it is not easy to get all of the system to follow it.

Regulatory Reform. (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do agree with him on it.

Regulatory Reform. (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I have always tried to put the heads of Bills out for debate. In the end, as with regulatory analysis, if there is more discussion on an issue it ultimately leads to better legislation and more agreement. It gives people a chance to have a direct input. I did get Departments to publish the heads of a number of Bills in the last Dáil, although I admit that some Departments have not...

Regulatory Reform. (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: There are several reports that have moved on. The OECD report on regulatory reform of professions suggested that competition in the professional services sector could be stronger. In response to this, the Competition Authority commenced a study of selected professionals, including engineers, architects, solicitors, barristers, veterinary surgeons, dentists, optometrists and medical...

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 12, statements on tackling crime, and No. 4, Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007 — Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 12 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 7 p.m. tonight and the following arrangements shall apply: the...

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We replied to Deputy Kenny's letter this morning but he may not have had an opportunity to see the reply. I have no problem discussing the procedures. That is a good idea. In respect of some of Deputy Higgins' points yesterday, the committees do a much better job than they are given credit for and over the past 20 years committees have undertaken good work. Only a few get prominence for...

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Government has already agreed to have a meeting regarding committees. Over the years a number of initiatives have been taken. For instance, there used to be a committee week that was dropped because Members thought it interrupted the main work of the House. The number of committees has been increased, their role and remit has been extended and they now bring before them far more...

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: No. However, there are committees other than the committee on foreign affairs.

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is important to have a structure and a system. As for Deputy Gilmore's query, I have been lobbied by many Members on both sides — I will not mention names — who have inquired whether there is any chance of securing a committee chairmanship or vice-chairmanship. This is not confined to Independents.

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am not aware of it either.

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am aware the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance does not intend to introduce any Supplementary Estimate.

Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Stagg has a point. To be helpful, I am not aware of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance bringing forward this year a Supplementary Estimate about anything.

Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will tell Deputy Kenny some of the facts about the health service and answer some of his questions.

Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Some 120,000 people work in the health service as of this morning.

Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If Fine Gael Members do not want to listen, there is no point in me saying anything.

Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If the Deputy wants to come to the House and criticise everything in the health service then so be it, but I will give him some of the facts of the situation. As I said, 120,000 work in the health service and they deal with 100,000 patients per month. Both the adult and children's waiting lists, as produced by the HSE, are at record lows right across the system. Some 100,000 inpatient and...

Leaders' Questions (3 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: That is a simple fact according to the people who deal with the issue. If Deputy Kenny wants to say that the people dealing with the issue know nothing, while he knows everything, that is fine. The National Treatment Purchase Fund has stated there is no need for anyone to wait more than three months for an operation and that it is unacceptable that they should do so. If people in such a...