Results 3,841-3,860 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. (21 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I accept Deputy Ó Caoláin's point. While I acknowledge the long established principle of not giving reasons in public, I am aware the Director of Public Prosecutions is currently examining where there may be scope for giving further information to victims of crime with regard to prosecutorial decisions. He has stated that himself. Until he does that, I do not have any further information.

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. (21 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I have replied to the question about policy. The Director of Public Prosecutions has put forward a case on why he believes a policy unit would be desirable and beneficial to him. My Department generally supports that and is engaged with the Department of Finance and the DPP's office in making the case for the relevant staff to deal with this area. There are other issues too. There has...

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. (21 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I have stated there has been a large increase in staff because there has been a large increase in the amount of work. The negotiations at the Chief State Solicitor's office are, hopefully, drawing to a conclusion but they have not been finalised. Representatives of the State solicitors service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions have met with the State solicitors...

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. (21 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The resources are large. It would be necessary to look at what was in the base figure for last year compared with this year. The figure for this year is the full cost figure of the office for this year based on the complement of 175. It does not include the additional staff the director is seeking at present. The Department of Finance examination of that is not yet complete. The Office...

Constitutional Amendments. (21 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 16, inclusive, together. The Oireachtas All-Party Committee on the Constitution published its report relating to the family on 24 January 2006. The relevant Departments are considering its recommendations. The Government has acted on most of the key recommendations which have emanated from earlier reports of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution....

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 18, Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 — Report and Final Stages, resumed; No. 19, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 17, Citizens Information Bill 2006 — Second Stage, resumed; and No. 4, Industrial Development Bill 2006 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No....

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The issue of DPP appeals against unduly lenient sentencing in serious cases before the court is to provide for a commitment. I do not have a date for that, but the matter has been referred by the Attorney General to the Law Reform Commission for consideration as a matter of urgent public interest. It has issued a consultation paper on the subject and a final report is awaited. On the...

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There is already legislation in place for tolling and I do not believe any other legislation is required. There is nothing new on the matter of a referendum on the rights of the child. As I said last week, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, will consult the parties and the various organisations, several of which has requested to talk to him on this issue.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There is already a toll on the M50. Regarding a change from the current barrier toll to a non-barrier toll requiring legislation, it does not seem to me it would require it, but I will ask the Minister to check the position.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The carbon fund Bill is due early next year. The heads were completed in July and it has passed to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting. It is awaited from that office and hopefully it will be ready early next year. The other issue is not listed but if there is work taking place in the Department, perhaps the Deputy should table a question on the matter to the Minister responsible.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The HIQA Bill will be published this session. The heads of the medical practitioners Bill were approved previously and further heads of it are expected to be included in the Bill. It is still hoped it will be available this session. Its introduction has been delayed because of the inclusion of the additional heads of the Bill.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is due to be introduced in 2007.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I do not have a date for it.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: One of the drafters is working more or less exclusively on this Bill. It is hoped it will be ready at the beginning of the New Year.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Unfortunately, I do not have news for Deputy Sherlock. The Bill is not proceeding. The Supreme Court decision has implications for it.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This point was already raised and I understand the Minister stated primary legislation is required to make an amendment. The Minister was asked to consider primary legislation. It cannot be amended in the format suggested. It is a matter for the Minister whether he considers the argument put forward by Members of the House.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill will be published in 2007.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I understand we already have quite strong legislation on child pornography which is only seven or eight years old. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform will bring forward other legislation. A number of other Bills affect this matter. I presume the Deputy asked whether these points will be considered in the new legislation. I am sure they will.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2006)

Bertie Ahern: No.