Results 5,281-5,300 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Social Partnership. (23 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Social partnership has also allowed companies to grow and expand, thereby creating an additional 1 million jobs in the economy during this period. At the same time, it created the economic climate which enabled us to move away from the conditions which existed when social partnership began, when there was an unemployment rate of more than 17%, with more than 10% in long-term unemployment. At...

Social Partnership. (23 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Every trade union leader is entitled to his opinion. The issues for which the trade union leaders have been fighting in these talks are those of the basic minimum wage and issues around what is the low paid category of workers — even if their pay is not very low in terms of what we used to call low pay — and that they should get the better share of the deal. That is the right thing for...

Social Partnership. (23 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I have not discussed the labour situation with Mr. Howard.

Social Partnership. (23 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: However, I acknowledged that the economy in Australia is very successful. It has unemployment down to approximately 5%, which is the lowest level it has achieved in recent generations. Its economy is enormously strong. Other issues are a matter for the Australians.

Social Partnership. (23 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On the last issue, the Government wants to see the Greencore situation resolved. I have already talked to people involved. I think 85 workers have not received their proper payments. On the issue of employment rights, I am not sure what Deputy Rabbitte means in referring to the beginning of the year. This matter became a major issue last September with the Irish Ferries dispute. It was the...

Social Partnership. (23 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: They are not. I said they were 90% complete and the remaining issues, if people are reasonable and do not look for impossible situations, can be resolved. However, this issue has been in the domain throughout the process. It is totally incorrect to say the issue was not around this year. It was a major issue throughout the autumn right up to 4 December when we tried to see whether we could...

Social Partnership. (23 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach has always chaired the talks.

Social Partnership. (23 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am glad the Deputy is giving me credit for something on the record. I was never given credit previously.

Social Partnership. (23 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Whether as Minister for Labour, Minister for Finance or Taoiseach, I have had a close involvement in the talks, as I have had this time.

Social Partnership. (23 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy knows precisely how closely I have been involved from speaking to trade union members involved in the talks who are leading members of his party.

Social Partnership. (23 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I have no doubt the Deputy checked this before he came in for questions. He will be totally aware of how closely I am involved in the talks and that I have spent a fair few nights and weekends on them because he was briefed about this. Deputy Rabbitte's final question, which is the most important, was whether I am putting forth a pessimistic impression of the talks based on my knowledge and...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Admiral Brown Society has been awarded a grant of €10,000 from the Commemoration Initiatives Fund in my Department towards funding for a memorial park to commemorate Admiral Brown in 2007.

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Admiral Brown Society has been awarded a grant of €10,000 from the Commemoration Initiatives Fund in my Department towards funding for a memorial park to commemorate Admiral Brown in 2007.

Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is to be taken in the autumn session.

Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Ombudsman (amendment) Bill have been approved and legislation drafted. The Bill is listed for 2006 subject to time constraints on the parliamentary draftsman. The ground rents Bill is not proceeding.

Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It was withdrawn because of the legal cases.

Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill is not listed so I suggest the Deputy table a question to the Minister to see if it will be listed again.

Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The enforcement of fines Bill is due for publication in this session. It will be 2007 before the second Bill will be taken.

Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Comhairle (Amendment) Bill is at Order for Second Stage. It was held up because the disability groups wanted to look at what they thought were best international practices. They sent a delegation to New Zealand to look at what happened there and have since produced a report.

Order of Business. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We need a Bill which gets the support of the disability groups. They have now given their views and I believe they will be taken into account in the Committee Stage amendments to the Bill.