Results 4,501-4,520 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On the first question, Deputy Kenny has it wrong. He used the term "cash donations" but I did not receive any cash donations. I accepted money reluctantly on the basis that it was a loan to be repaid with interest. It would have been entirely wrong to accept a donation and I did not accept the money as a donation. I took it as a loan to be paid back and I said I would have to pay interest...

Leaders' Questions (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: These events took place some years before publication of the McCracken report. However, the procedures I followed, the actions I have now taken and what I have told the tribunal and the public yesterday and today breach neither the ethics code, the tax code, nor legislation. I am sure Deputy Rabbitte, like others, has examined the position very carefully and has not found that to be the...

Leaders' Questions (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I know the law, although I am not an expert on every aspect. However, many years ago my tax advisers checked the issues in detail on the basis that it was a loan with interest. Subject to correction, I believe that the rate throughout the loan period was 3% — the interest rate that a person would have received on a deposit from 1993 or 1994. It was calculated yearly, and the total...

Leaders' Questions (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I said earlier, these were loans with interest, not from businessmen but friends. My friends have been described as businessmen but the impression given that they are captains of industry is far from the truth. They are people who assisted me at a particular time because they knew the circumstances. I accepted that only on the basis these were loans with interest. That is the position....

Leaders' Questions (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I said a number of times, these people are friends. If the Deputy wants to categorise people who are friends, that is his entitlement, but it is not an offence to get loans from friends at times. I did that one time in my 55 years on this earth. If in hindsight that was not the wisest thing to do, so be it, but I think there are few of us in this House who have not benefited from...

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 32, inclusive, together. On 29 June 2006, the British Prime Minister and I met at Stormont with the Northern Ireland political parties to discuss plans to restore the democratic institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. This meeting allowed a timely opportunity to assess the work done since the recall of the Assembly on 15 May. The two Governments...

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On the general position, the recall of the Assembly on 15 May has proved to be an important milestone. While the process was slow at the outset, progress has been made subsequently and continues to be made. The engagement which has taken place among all the parties in the forum has been extremely helpful. It is jointly chaired by Sinn Féin and the DUP and a considerable amount of effort...

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I said, there is no need for a special summit because at every meeting we stress these important matters, in particular the Finucane case, collusion and issues from the past involving a number of cases with which we have been dealing from the historical position. We raise these continually with the British Government. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, also raised...

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am not aware of what happened at a meeting of a committee of the Houses today. As the Deputy is aware from the inquiry and the reports of it by Mr. Justice Barron, it is clear throughout them that there is an identified location where activities were going on and that was highlighted a number of times. Mr. Justice Barron definitely wrote a considerable amount about that in his first...

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: That is significant. The newer investigation being undertaken by senior counsel is looking at those aspects. That work continues and co-operation with the British Government has continued over the summer months.

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy asked a number of questions and I will answer the last one first. I know the arguments the DUP makes but they cannot say it is an arbitrary date because it is one the British Government fixed at Cabinet level and enshrined in legislation which was passed by the House of Lords and the House of Commons. They cannot blame the Irish Government if it is a date embedded in their own...

Northern Ireland Issues. (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will continue to raise the issues mentioned by Deputy McGrath. I consistently engage with at least ten such groups on issues including the shooting of Mr. Pat Finucane and the Miami Showband massacre. I make the case to the British Government and to the Northern Ireland Office and my officials will continue to do so. I will return to the Deputy's point on the Civil Service. Deputy...

Nomination of Tánaiste: Statement (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I wish to announce for the information of the Dáil that on 13 September 2006 I nominated Deputy McDowell, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform as Tánaiste.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 10, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the sectoral plans in accordance with section 31(6) of the Disability Act 2005; No. 11, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War (referred to as 'Protocol V') of the Convention on...

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am not changing it. I have answered questions.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There is no plan to amend the ethics legislation. The issues are set out clearly in that legislation and in the codes. I spent half an hour on Leaders' Questions dealing with the issues. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving us that time.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This Bill is before the Seanad.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The citizen's information Bill will be published in October and will be taken in this session. The criminal justice (UN convention against corruption) Bill will be taken next year.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The purpose of the single electricity market Bill is to facilitate the establishment of a wholesale electricity market on the island of Ireland. The heads of the Bill have been approved but, as a North-South initiative, it will require a joint approach. It will be dealt with during this session.

Order of Business (27 Sep 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of this Bill were approved some weeks ago and it has been sent for drafting. It will be brought forward next year.