Results 5,741-5,760 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: My Department exceeds the 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities. Seven persons have voluntarily, self disclosed that they have disabilities. This represents 3.72% of total staff. The principle of equality underpins my Department's human resource policy in accordance with equality legislation and the Government's policies on diversity, dignity at work and gender equality. In...

Order of Business. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I have not discussed the matter with the Minister, I do not have a date on the publication of the report but I will raise the issue with him as soon as he returns. I have no information on regulations in the sector the Deputy mentioned. I will check with the Tánaiste's office. On the carbon fund Bill to provide for the purchase of carbon credits by the State and to meet our greenhouse gas...

Order of Business. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: No legislation is promised but Operation Anvil has a dedicated unit and operates nationwide. I have not heard anything new regarding the Barr report but I will check the position and inform the Deputy's office.

Order of Business. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to Deputy Sargent, the question of holding a debate can be discussed among the Whips. The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will be before the House this week and a comprehensive Green Paper will be published later this year.

Order of Business. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It will be taken this session.

Order of Business. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It will be taken this session.

Order of Business. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister has made clear that the arrangement he made a year ago has not been fully complied with and he is moving towards taking a different approach to the issue.

Order of Business. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: That is a matter for the Whips.

Order of Business. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I understand amendments are being drafted in the Department and it hopes to come back with them later in the year. I have already raised the matter with the Department.

Order of Business. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: No date has been set for taking the Bill in question.

Order of Business. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill is not listed on the legislative programme.

Order of Business. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is listed for this session. The heads of the Bill have been approved and the legislation was sent for drafting some time ago. We are waiting for it but it is still listed for before the summer.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: First, I express the sympathy of the House to the family, relatives and community of the 15 year old person who was killed in this tragic accident. This is a sad and black day for them and I pass on the sympathy of the Government and all Members. We wish a speedy and full recovery to the 12 people who were brought to hospital and understand the shock experienced by all others involved. This...

Leaders' Questions. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Some, if not all, of those well made points are under examination — I will ensure all of them are considered — following last year's events. As the Deputy noted, although the safety check for roadworthiness takes place under the authorised test centres, the same level of safety standards that apply to public buses, be they CIE buses or Bus Éireann buses, do not apply to privately...

Leaders' Questions. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I know Deputy Rabbitte was busy over the weekend, therefore, he would not have read my full speech. If he did so, he would have seen the balanced way I presented my speech. I even got thunderous applause from Deputy Bruton and members of the Green Party who were in the audience.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Unfortunately, members of the Labour Party were elsewhere. Otherwise I would have received the same applause from them.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: While the Deputy was not present, his colleagues were. I was highly impressed that one of the smallest parties in the House had the majority of its members at the top table. It was a strategic move to the right by the Green Party to have that power with the top bankers.

Leaders' Questions. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to Deputy Rabbitte, I was making the point to an industry that employs 55,000 people. I was speaking to international bankers whom we have been trying to encourage to operate and create competition in the Irish economy. We would like to see more funds management and insurance involvement by the banking industry. One of the great selling points of the Irish economy is that more than...

Leaders' Questions. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte knows I do not write the headlines. I was addressing the IFSC banks creating that competition, rather than Allied Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland only. The broad international bank sector is bringing quality employment here. I have no argument with the agency's assertion that our main commercial banks should, along with making profits internationally and at home, give value for...

Leaders' Questions. (4 Apr 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I referred to these issues in response to the social partnership questions earlier. The Minister for Transport has been engaging in lengthy discussions with the trade unions and will continue to talk to them to address these concerns. Last May, we decided to allow the sale of a majority shareholding in Aer Lingus in order to receive an equity injection into the company while retaining a...