Results 4,301-4,320 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party and on my own behalf, I extend our deepest sympathies to Deputy Kenny and the Fine Gael Party on the death of Tom Fitzpatrick. In particular, my party and I wish to join Deputy Kenny in extending our sympathy to Carmel and Geraldine, Tom's son, Tom, his brother, John, his extended family and all his friends back in his native home. Tom was a very well...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: He held those faithfully and would lecture us on that from the benches opposite or the Ceann Comhairle's seat. He firmly held the view that precedents were important and that there should be respect for Parliament and positions. He fought for that and with his sharp legal mind he was able to use those standing orders eloquently. As Whip for Government and Opposition I was lucky enough to go...

Regulatory Reform. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The group's main focus has been on issues around the economic and sectoral regulator authorities, and there are a number of those, including the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, the Commission for Aviation Regulation, the Commission for Energy Regulation, the Financial Regulator, the Competition Authority and the Commission for Taxi Regulation. It has endeavoured to work...

Regulatory Reform. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Yes.

Regulatory Reform. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On legislation, some hundreds of old Acts remain in place. We are almost there on the 1922 period. We must now review the old Acts and get rid of those that do not need to be there; we need to obtain the statutory instruments and statute law. This process has already started and on its completion the Law Reform Commission will then try to consolidate the Acts. It intends to set up a unit...

Regulatory Reform. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is a draft consideration. As I understand it, his draft consideration did not change much in other years. However, it is a draft. If one examines the position, one will find that the cost of fuel is obviously the main driver of the price. When the tariffs were set last year, it was assumed that natural gas would cost 41c per therm. The forward price of gas that is assumed for next...

Regulatory Reform. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There will be an increase of 19.7% in the price of electricity and of 34% in the price of gas.

Regulatory Reform. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: No, the price increases will become effective from 1 January. When the regulator makes his final determination in his report, it will become effective from 1 January and it will last until 1 November of next year.

Regulatory Reform. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Was Deputy Kenny making the point that the increase in gas prices has already come into effect?

Regulatory Reform. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It came into effect on 1 October.

Regulatory Reform. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The increase in electricity prices will come into effect on 1 November.

Regulatory Reform. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I apologise to Deputy Sargent for interrupting him.

Regulatory Reform. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy asked about the ongoing consultation process. As I said, all the issues relating to the appeals mechanisms which are available at present, such as court appeals, and the alternative systems or structures which could be put in place have been examined. The group has highlighted 34 specific questions and invited the respondents to the consultation process to address them. It is...

Chief State Solicitor's Office. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. As I indicated in reply to previous questions on the matter, the recommendations of the Nally report in relation to the reorganisation of the Chief State Solicitor's office have been largely implemented. Agreement with the unions involved was achieved during 2001. The criminal prosecutions functions undertaken by the Chief State...

Chief State Solicitor's Office. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Nally report did not cover any of these issues as it was produced some years ago and, as was pointed out, its recommendations effectively have been implemented. I will gladly bring the points made by Deputy Kenny to the attention of the relevant offices. As the Deputy is aware, the DPP's office is independent in its functions and actions but there would be no problem if I brought the...

Chief State Solicitor's Office. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On the first issue, as was pointed out, all initiatives and recommendations of Nally were implemented and the conclusions and recommendations were agreed. The matter of the State solicitor was held for further discussion. The current system of appointing State solicitors through open competition, which was the initiative proposed at that time, is working well. It is done through open...

Chief State Solicitor's Office. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There were a number of issues because there were new contracts with the DPP and they are issued on a competitive basis. At this stage, however, it is down to money; the other issues have been completed. There is a problem because some of the offices are very large while others are very small. It is a hard issue to find a basis for a settlement. There have been three offers and discussions...

Chief State Solicitor's Office. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I do not think the changes have changed the points of law. Both the DPP and the Chief State Solicitor's office will take cases or fight cases based on what their legal judgment is and the culpability or rights of the State. Obviously I hope that because of the additional resources that have been put in for a number of years, they are in a better position to do that from the point of view of...

Regulatory Reform. (10 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together. Significant progress has been made since the publication of the OECD Report on Regulatory Reform in Ireland. The focus of our efforts in progressing regulatory reform is now on implementing the White Paper on better regulation, Regulating Better, which was published in January 2004 in response to the OECD's report. It sets out...

Order of Business (5 Oct 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I hope this answers the questions. Yesterday, I was informed that I had referred to a dormant account. I was trying to be complete in the information and a journalist who was doing his job for Independent Newspapers said they had information that the dormant account contained €30,000. I will explain to the House for completeness. In the 1970s, I wanted to cash a cheque but the Bank of...