Results 461-480 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Departmental Bodies. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I gave exactly the same reply the last time the Deputy asked the question. The Deputy is reading "the blacks", which contain the list I circulated with the answer.

Departmental Bodies. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I did not. I have a copy of the answer. It states: My Department participates in a wide range of cross-departmental teams and interdepartmental committees, many of which come under the aegis of other members of the Government and deal with issues primarily under their remit. If the Deputy wishes to obtain information about any specific activity of those teams or committees, he should...

Departmental Bodies. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I was trying to be helpful.

Departmental Bodies. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Given that my Department is at the centre of Government, it is involved in a large range of cross-departmental teams. The team dealing with the alcohol issue is one of them. I am not sure if it is relevant to this question but two pieces of legislation are related. I answered about one of them during legislative questions and the appropriate Minister has not made a final decision on the other.

Departmental Bodies. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Official Report contains the full list of the committees. I would not be involved with these groups on a daily basis but I know the position of the group relating to alcohol. Two separate pieces of legislation are being considered. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has commenced the examination of the sale of alcohol products and he has engaged the...

Cabinet Committees. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Cabinet committee on climate change and energy security has met on three occasions since September 2007. The committee last met on 23 January 2008 and will meet again next month. The Deputy will be aware I have outlined to the House now on a number of occasions that Cabinet committees are an integral part of the Cabinet process. Questions as to the business conducted at Cabinet or...

Cabinet Committees. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Yes.

Cabinet Committees. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The committee was set up at the very end of September. That is four months ago and there have been three meetings, so I would consider it an active committee. The officials group meets separately. I explained recently in the House in answer to another question that all the issues regarding climate change and negotiations with the European Commission on the decisions made in January were all...

Cabinet Committees. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It has a good manager too.

Cabinet Committees. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I do not accept any of that. It is nonsense. This issue has been on the agenda for most meetings of the Cabinet over the past two years. The sub-committee was set up to deal with aspects of it and the officials group is working hard on it. The Deputy should put down a question to the relevant Minister whom I am sure would be glad to give the detail. I have been involved through social...

Official Engagements. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 21, inclusive, together. I visited South Africa between 13 and 15 January, accompanied by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Micheál Martin, and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for overseas development, Deputy Michael Kitt. The key objectives of the visit were to further develop...

Official Engagements. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I will make a number of points. Obviously, the Government will continue to try to develop a consensus on the undocumented Irish as it has done for the past few years. While I stated previously that it might be difficult to make much progress this year, we must continue to make our case. I will discuss it again with President Bush in a few weeks' time. On the new reform treaty, I have...

Official Engagements. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I have answered it.

Official Engagements. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I have answered the question and stated that, on the basis of positive advice from the Attorney General confirming the continuation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 in the aftermath of a declaration of independence, we are committed to maintaining our enhanced presence in KFOR, the UN-mandated international presence in Kosovo.

Official Engagements. (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The point is that the UN-mandated international military presence in Kosovo has reaffirmed its position. The Attorney General has advised that there is no difficulty for Ireland and we are, therefore, anxious to stay and maintain our position.

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 2, the Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; and No. 16, the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 — Second Stage (resumed), to adjourn not later than 7 p.m. tonight. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall...

Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: On the Deputy's first point, every year, last year being no exception, we have increased resources, consultant posts, nursing posts and other medical posts to alleviate the waiting lists for particular children right across the hospital system, whether in orthodontic, ophthalmic or any of the other specialties. A large part of the resources every year has gone into alleviating the position...

Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I understand that it is not just a question of money — it is also a question of the availability of individuals.

Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I have asked the Ministers to do so.

Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: A number of points have been made. I think I have explained the Castleknock issue. There is no need to go back to that. The issue has to be resolved. I do not want to repeat all the points and arguments which were made when the issue of children's needs was raised a few weeks ago. I referred on that occasion to international advice on the best way of dealing with autism and how we should...