Results 4,941-4,960 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Official Engagements. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Joe Higgins is correct with regard to armaments in Africa. Five civil wars are underway there at present, and in their absence, the amount of available resources in the affected countries and in the region generally would massively help their development. This has been an ongoing issue for the past ten or 20 years, since the early 1980s. It has been an issue since AIDS ravished these...

Official Engagements. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I thank the Deputy for his comments. I also appreciate his involvement in the meetings related to the summit. In common with many other matters, Ireland's position in this regard is not widely understood at home. Our role has nothing to do with me personally. Ireland has played a role in this regard for the past ten years through its non-governmental organisations, religious orders and...

Official Engagements. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The important matter emphasised when I met many African organisations while I was there, is the provision of drugs. A great deal of progress is being made on that, but not enough. The drug companies should be prepared to put in enormous amounts. It would be good for them, would not cost them a great deal and they would receive support for that. Drugs can have major and quick success. It could...

Order of Business. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 18, statements on the European Council, Brussels; and No. 1, Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad] — Second Stage, resumed. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, (1) that the proceedings on No. 18 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 80 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: the statements shall, if not...

Order of Business. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I thank Deputy Stagg for acknowledging that we have tried to avoid guillotines since October. Inevitably, as we approach the end of the session, we must get the legislation through. I take the point that if all Bills were ready and out of the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel and the Departments, the problem might never arise. However, there are always issues to be examined and the...

Order of Business. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The criminal justice trafficking in persons and sexual offences Bill is to give effect to a number of international instruments on trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation of children. The heads have not yet been completed and therefore it is not possible for me to give the date on which the Bill will be introduced. The criminal justice DNA database Bill will be ready later this year....

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There are a few points of fact. When Leas Cross was uncovered, I stated that the position was entirely unsatisfactory. The Deputy indicated that nothing was done, but we closed Leas Cross. It went out of business. Even though it was a new building, because the standards of care and attention to elderly people were nowhere near the acceptable standard, it was closed down and Leas Cross has not...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The HSE and the former health boards have always had an inspectorate to examine nursing homes. After the appalling revelations which emerged from Leas Cross, the HSE stepped up the number and frequency of inspections to make sure nursing homes were up to an acceptable standard. I understand this is the approach the HSE is following. We give a great deal of resources to the HSE for the beds it...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I agree with Deputy Rabbitte that people who abuse the tax system, avoid or evade tax or operate outside the tax code are committing a serious offence against compliant taxpayers, not to mind against the law, and nobody should do that. This Government and Governments of which I have been a member have, in the past ten years and more, strengthened our legislation and enhanced the powers and...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The settlement is to the credit of the Revenue Commissioners and the powers they possess. Tribunals carry out useful work but they do not collect taxes and cannot operate settlements or examine the issues which can lead to huge settlements such as this one. Their work is undoubtedly helpful to that but the cases have to be examined independently and verified by the Revenue Commissioners. We...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: All companies and individuals should abide by the law. They should not be involved in evasion or avoidance.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: That is a matter for the arms——

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Obviously, the Deputies do not want to listen to a serious answer. It would be interesting to look at the last list, as well as helpful in terms of highlighting some of the political affiliations of the people listed.

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 12, Revised Estimates for Public Services 2006, Votes 1 to 40, back from committee; No. 1, Road Traffic Bill 2006 [Seanad] — Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. and business shall be interrupted not later than 10 p.m. The Revised Estimates for Public Services 2006 shall be moved...

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Subject to correction, my belief is that it is due shortly. I will confirm that for Deputy Kenny. I was told it was almost ready two or three weeks ago. The other Bill is a Private Members' Bill of an individual Senator. It is not a Government Bill.

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Regarding the Dalton report I understand the due process based on the accusations and allegations is almost complete and it should be with the Government next week.

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This refers to a disability advocacy Bill which has cleared Cabinet and should be published in approximately a week.

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This session.

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will communicate with the Deputy.

Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Bill are expected soon. It will provide for a rental accommodation scheme, a revised tenant purchase scheme allowing for the sale of flats and will strengthen local authority powers to deal with anti-social behaviour.