Results 5,341-5,360 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Following consideration of the report prepared by the advisers appointed by the Ministers for Transport and Finance on the investment transaction of Aer Lingus, the Ministers agreed proposals for the implementation of the investment transaction which were presented at a Government meeting in April. The investment transaction is to be implemented on the following basis. In line with the...

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte's short-term and long-term memory are not good this morning. As I said earlier, June was never put forward as a date. The Government would be totally irresponsible to go to the market without the advice of our financial experts in this area. We will go to the market when the time is right based on the advice we get. It is still the view it can happen this year. I am surprised...

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am glad those individuals went on to prove their worth in the financial marketplace but at least they did not do it by taking the assets away from Aer Lingus.

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I cannot understand Deputy Seán Ryan's logic that a management buy-out was better than an injection of capital. Why does he oppose the trade unionists in Aer Lingus? This is wrong.

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The State will retain a minimum stake of 25.1%. We will make our decisions based on the advice we get on stock market conditions. We will do this correctly to allow Aer Lingus to develop in future. Discussions on pension funds and related staff issues are ongoing, the Minister for Transport continues to have meetings with the trade unions.

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Why is the Labour Party against the Minister for Transport meeting the trade unions on pension issues?

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Why has it abandoned the staff of Aer Lingus? I will have to ask Deputy Glennon to assure the workers that we still care about them in this House. He will assure them that we will take their interests in pensions and other issues into account.

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It would be good if Deputy Sargent read the 40 minute speech I made in Druid's Glen; quite apparently he did not. He has made one remark about what I said afterwards in a press briefing where I was asked if there would be a crash. I said that I did not believe there would be a crash. I will give Deputy Sargent the same answer I gave that day. Irish residential property stock is worth €500...

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The population has risen and demand has remained strong.

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Somewhere along the line supply and demand will come together. The reality is that there are cautionary issues about 100% mortgages. We all agree on that.

Leaders' Questions. (17 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: However, we should not try to create a crisis in a very important part of this country's economy. We should try to promote Part V of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1999, provisions for social and affordable housing and shared ownership schemes.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am aware of recent media reports claiming that members of the Ulster Defence Regiment were members of loyalist paramilitary groups. The Government's concerns regarding collusion are long-standing. The Government are also mindful of the reports of Judge Barron in which this issue is addressed in respect of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and other cases. The cooperation of the British...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There are no European Directives awaiting implementation by my Department.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I have not employed any Advisers, Assistants or other staff since January 2005.

Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 17, the Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006 — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 2, Institutes of Technology Bill 2006 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 51, motion re primary education: school places and class sizes.

Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the pharmacy (No. 1) Bill, which provides for fitness to practice regulations for pharmacists, were approved two weeks ago. The Bill has gone for drafting and should be available later this year.

Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I stated last week, the sections of the report which were relevant to individuals named in it were given to those individuals on the basis of legal advice to ensure that fairness and due process were adhered to. They were given a period of 15 days in which they had to respond. These issues would have to be taken into account through an amendment or annexe to a report. One would need to...

Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Which Bills?

Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Work is under way on the draft heads of the public transport commission Bill but it is unlikely that legislation will be ready this year. The heads of the health Bill have been approved. The consultation process is under way. Once this is finished, the revised proposals will be submitted to the Government. The process, however, will take longer than initially anticipated and the Bill is...

Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There is no change in the position on the alcohol products Bill. A period will be allowed to pass before there is any change. The British-Irish Agreement (amendment) Bill will be published this year.