Results 5,941-5,960 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I did answer the question.

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 25, inclusive, together. When the British Prime Minister and I met in Dublin in January, we made clear that 2006 will be a decisive year. Since then, there has been a round of meetings with the political parties in Northern Ireland, jointly chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. I met with the Prime...

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy's point is that we do not wish to go outside the Good Friday Agreement, but the two Governments wish to stick to it absolutely. If we are forced from that, we intend to stick to it as closely as possible. As the Deputy says, there have been alternative proposals from the parties. At this stage, every party has proposals on the way forward. The Assembly cannot meet in shadow...

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Our position is that we want to see the Good Friday Agreement implemented. People in the South voted for it by 95% to 5%. Unless someone——

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, the entire population. Unless someone produces a proposal, it does not follow that we are moving outside the Agreement. Hitherto, there has been none. Quite frankly, I hope there will be none, other than the review that was successfully carried out but not implemented. The review, which concluded on 7 December 2004, covered the Good Friday Agreement, and represented an entitlement of the...

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The word "shadow" creates major difficulties for some parties, mainly the SDLP and Sinn Féin. I do not like the concept either, since it is not a full Assembly. I see no need to have it in shadow form. Deputy Rabbitte correctly interpreted me. We would like to drop the word "shadow" and have the Assembly meet for a set period. If the executive had not been formed by that date, we would have...

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will. I will check the Order Paper and if the regulations are not to facilitate other parties, I will certainly return to it. I presume the regulation was under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, but I will check it.

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Invitations to the White House are handled solely by the White House. Certainly, no tracks were beaten to its door. However, in so far as discussions took place, I gave my view to the President's representative, Mitchell Reiss, when he visited earlier, namely, that it would be best if all parties were invited. A path was not beaten to the White House door. It was best that all parties were...

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We sent a reply to Colombia before Christmas. While issues are still being processed, ultimately, it will be a matter for the courts. As for the legal basis, it is difficult to see progress on it. Given all the circumstances, I cannot envisage any early resolution of an extradition case. Ultimately, however, it is a matter for the courts. We sent our position to the Colombians before...

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: All I want to say about plan B is I hope we never get there.

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: If we do, I do not disagree that we must then find a new way forward. We have given that some thought, but not much because we do not want to have to. If we get to a situation where we cannot get a working executive going, then obviously we must look again. It is not something on which I want to speculate or comment, but we could get to that position this year because we will not let this...

Northern Ireland Issues. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I discussed this with the leader of the SDLP, Mark Durkan, and colleagues on a number of occasions. As I stated, I would like to see their proposals and other proposals examined and discussed within the Assembly. If we cannot get things up and running exactly as we would like, all the parties have different proposals and they should get an airing. The reason for that is if they are to be...

Leaders' Questions. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will make a couple of brief points first. Deputy Kenny is correct in saying we have provided significant resources for the health services.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I managed to complete one sentence without interruption. The Opposition should stop interrupting and let me speak. We have put in the resources and the staff. There have been significant improvements throughout the health service, in the level of cancer care, in paediatric medicine and in most of the difficult specialties there have been major and growing improvements. I accept the accident...

Leaders' Questions. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: My figure is not the Opposition's figure. I get a different figure.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: That row goes on every day.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The figure I received for yesterday was 190. Deputy Kenny asked what we are doing about this.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is important that we make steady and substantial progress for patients. It is not acceptable to, or accepted by, Government that people, particularly older people, must wait a long time on trolleys before admission.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This affects their dignity and other issues arise. The ten-point plan, which involves a focussed implementation of actions, is under way. We are helping older people move out of hospitals when they are medically fit to leave. The home care package and the enhanced nursing home subventions——

Leaders' Questions. (22 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: A total of 530 people have already received the new supports.