Results 4,621-4,640 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In accident and emergency units, service is being improved in many hospitals. In others, where real problems remain,we are working with the Health Service Executive and the staff to deliver long-term and effective solutions for patients.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On schools, since Deputy Kenny and Deputy Rabbitte sat at the Cabinet table, 7,000 extra teachers are now working with 6,000 extra special needs assistants in smaller classes, in a system that now has a clear focus on the needs of students who most need additional help.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On child care, the Government is building on its delivery of more than 30,000 additional child care places. A new early child care supplement worth €1,000 per annum is payable in respect of children under six.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Child benefit has almost quadrupled from €38.10 per month in 1997 to €150 today. The facts on these issues and others that my colleagues will deal with in detail speak for themselves. They speak of the steady and planned progress being made on the issues that really matter to people. Ireland has seen a great deal of progress over the past ten years through the hard work of the people and...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Since 1997, 600,000 people are at work in Ireland in new jobs, giving opportunity to people and a massive lift to our economy. This is an Opposition that has nothing to say about massive increases in pensions and in children's allowances. Its members remain silent about repeated and radical reductions in income tax. They have nothing to say about the relentless effort to build a just and a...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: They say nothing because they stand for nothing except the pursuit of power for the sake of power.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny and Deputy Rabbitte have nothing to say because they have nothing to offer. Having learned the lessons of 2002, they have now resolved to say nothing at all. The duty of Government is to ensure public safety, improve public services and deliver support for those most in need but Fine Gael and Labour repeatedly refuse to explain to the people what they will better deliver if...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: They refuse to publish new policies accompanied by detailed costings. Their irresponsible economic policies proposed in the last general election campaign would threaten hard won progress on job creation, tax reduction and economic growth. On vital social issues such as health and education, they refuse to consider the tough decisions required for effective investment and reform. It is...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Last week Fine Gael introduced the Criminal Law (Home Defence) Bill which Deputy Howlin rejected on behalf of the Labour Party. A week ago last Sunday, at their joint press conference, the leaders of Fine Gael and the Labour Party admitted that they could not agree on the question of the age of consent, and on and on it goes every week.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: What a fine mess this country would be in with a Government trying to move in two directions at once.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It shows a lack of confidence in the two leaders that all Members believe they should be able to speak for them. I do not mind. On 28 March 2004 Deputy Kenny promised a comprehensive policy programme within 18 months. It has been the longest 18 months and the shortest comprehensive programme in recent Irish political history. Fine Gael and the Labour Party could write their long promised...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I say to the Fine Gael Whip, if keeping promises in government can sometimes be really difficult, breaking them in opposition takes real genius.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte have a single issue agenda: power. Afraid of the issues and having nothing new to offer, they are trying to patent policy-free politics. They want to have an issue-free election. Their strongest argument is that after waiting all of their political lives in the doldrums of opposition to secure a mandate for government, now it is their turn. I have a message for...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is an insult to the public to come here tonight and pretend that they have even begun to have a serious debate about the future of the country. The Government intends to finish the job that the people gave us to do.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We will then ask for their judgment, not only on a record of achievement but also on the real promise of future delivery, based on real costed plans for the future, not empty promises. It took Ireland 30 years to become an overnight success. It took the hard work, innovation and education of the people to turn the country around. Now there are new challenges. Building a 20th century...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——funding pensions and providing care for the elderly are the issues that require new thinking and fresh ideas, not old hat and cynical politics.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: One by one, the Government is thinking through these issues and we are bringing our proposals forward in a costed and coherent way. We are planning for the future of a changing Ireland in a challenging world.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: What about the Opposition parties? Tonight we heard what they have to offer — nothing but cynicism and scorn as usual. It is the same motion as was tabled in 2003, without one new innovative idea or policy. They just try to shout me down as they have been doing for years and wasting their time.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Their formula for winning power is politics minus policy. I remind Deputy Kenny that there is more to leadership than ambition.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The 17 and 18 years olds who are waiting for their examination results need hope and a Government with real plans for the future.