Results 381-400 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Let us not be silly. Everyone's health issue is not equally serious. Clinicians make the decisions and urgent cases are being dealt with quickly. In response to Deputy Gilmore, Professor Tom Keane said there are many unnecessary follow-up visits which lengthen the waiting list and are not an efficient use of time or resources. He said this time could better be used for initial...

Leaders' Questions (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, in colonoscopy.

Leaders' Questions (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Unfortunately, that is what he says. I will not argue with the Deputies on that point. He plans to eliminate such unnecessary follow-ups in developing clinical practice norms. He has already set clinical criteria to distinguish between urgent and routine cases, which was the question asked in the first place. Significant work has been done in that regard. It is important to mention the...

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 5, Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008 — Financial Resolution; and No. 11, Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008 — Order for Report Stage and Report and Final Stages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 5 shall be decided without debate. Private Members' business shall be No. 28, motion re anti-social behaviour.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: In respect of the referendum Bill, I will have a word with the Deputy about the date but we are talking about early June. In respect of the Human Tissue Bill, a consultative forum was held last year which was followed by a national consultation on draft proposals for the legislation. The analysis of submissions received in response to the consultation process is nearing completion and...

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Certainly.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Defamation Bill has reached Report Stage in the Seanad and will be brought here as soon as Report and Final Stages are completed in the Seanad. The review of off-licences will be finished by the end of this month. The Minister is hopeful that legislation will pass through the House before the summer.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The White Paper is due at the end of the month. It is not normal to present the Attorney General's advice on a Bill but in respect of the discussions that took place, we will certainly try to give as much information as we can. I have already answered the question on the date of publication of the Bill. Of course, I will include Deputy Gilmore. I will check the matter with him.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: In what?

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is just not finished.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: That is it. Simple.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I am not writing the White Paper.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The European Commission has prepared a copy but I do not believe it has been updated. The Institute of European Affairs has also prepared a copy. It is an excellent copy and it is the one we are using. It is a consolidated copy which was issued two months ago.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The document to which Deputy Costello refers is very long but it is available on request.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy could contact the Minister for Foreign Affairs. It is a very long document but it is available if required.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: We will see how many people want the long document. However, I have seen a draft of the White Paper which is a very good document. It will be completed in approximately two weeks' time and will be available to everybody.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I have been through the Single European Act and the Maastricht treaty in 1992, the Amsterdam treaty in 1998 and the Nice treaty in 2001 and in 2002. Only a handful of the consolidated documents are ever read by anyone. However, the document is available for those who wish it.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is available.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I can only answer on the legislation which is on Committee Stage. The Deputy is asking another question.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is hoped the Bill will be produced before Easter.