Results 5,141-5,160 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (7 Jun 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Last week, the Government acted in an effective and responsible manner and we achieved two things. First, we enacted new legislation to ensure that there would be no gap and, second, we successfully resisted the release of convicted prisoners from jail. These objectives were achieved in a matter of days. There is nothing the Government or this House could have done in advance of the Supreme...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Central Statistics Office The function of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) is to collect, compile, analyse and disseminate statistical information relating to the economic, social and general activities and conditions in the State. It is also responsible for co-ordinating official statistics produced by other public authorities and for developing the statistical potential of administrative...

Written Answers — Legal Fees: Legal Fees (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: A table showing the standard brief fee paid to junior counsel for the prosecution of indictable offences in the Circuit Court from 2001 to date is set out below. This table shows increases paid and the effective dates of those increases. No increase has been paid in 2006 although an increase of 2.5% is planned from 1 June, 2006. Effective From Increase £ € ...

Written Answers — Legal Fees: Legal Fees (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Details of the amounts paid to prosecuting counsel appearing on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions are not recorded in respect of the areas for which details were supplied. Rather such payments are recorded on a county-by-county basis. Information with regard to payments made to junior and senior counsel in 2005 for prosecutions in the Circuit and Central Criminal Courts are shown...

Leaders' Questions. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: A number of points have been raised. Our highest priority is to deal as quickly as we can with this serious issue for the protection of our children. The Deputy asked me about other cases but I cannot pre-empt the decisions of the courts. The Government intends to appeal the Supreme Court's decision. Other cases may arise but we cannot instruct the DPP. We can prepare legislation to deal with...

Leaders' Questions. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It does not remove all the legislation enacted to deal with anyone who commits serious sexual assaults or aggravated sexual attacks.

Leaders' Questions. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I agree with Deputy Ó Caoláin on a number of points. The human trafficking Bill is being prepared and will come before the House. The broad definition is one of the things with which we must deal and I agree with the point that it more correctly reflects the issue. We have a strong body of legislation and, as the Deputy said, these are serious issues which the House has been addressing. The...

Leaders' Questions. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In this instance, we have to amend an Act of which the Supreme Court has struck down one section. Another one or two sections may be at risk. This does not change any of the other Acts. We will do this quickly and efficiently in the interests of our children and their parents. That is the Government's commitment. I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin for his support in enacting this legislation as soon...

Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Order of Business shall be No. 10, motion re European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2006; No. 11, proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a Council framework decision on simplifying the exchange of information and intelligence between law enforcement authorities of the member states of the European Union, back from committee; No. 20, Institutes of Technology Bill 2006 — Second Stage,...

Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: That legislation is being prepared but it will not be taken this year. It will be ready in 2007.

Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I have said numerous times, in order to protect and safeguard our children, if the Government can complete the Bill with the legal people who are working with us on this matter, the Whip will ask the House to sit for a period next week so we can pass the Bill. That is our intention. I must again correct Deputy Rabbitte — it was not a question that the Government could not agree this...

Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Anyone who abuses our children is open to the full rigours of the law.

Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I totally agree with that.

Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: That is why we have legislation under which an offender can get 14 years or life imprisonment. We have very tough laws in this area.

Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Child Care (Amendment) Bill is for this session. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, is dealing with the register.

Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Child Care (Amendment) Bill.

Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Child Care (Amendment) Bill is for this session. The legislation for a register of persons who are considered unsafe to work with children will concentrate on developing procedures for vetting convictions through the vetting unit. The development of such a register gives rise to a range of legal, policy and practical implementation issues. The Department of Education and Science and the...

Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: That is a matter for the Whips.

Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will try to be helpful. There are two issues. There is a range of sexual offences legislation, and I mentioned the several Acts earlier. The new Bill is about one issue arising from the Supreme Court's judgment. If a sex offender was out tonight, which is the question the Deputy was asking——

Order of Business. (30 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The individual could be charged under any of the Acts.