Results 6,021-6,040 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (21 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: For Aer Lingus to grow, develop and expand in the immediate future, to get access to many new locations which it wants, and to avail of the opportunities of the European-US open skies agreement as against the current position where it can only fly into the five airports, it needs the flexibility and the competitive advantage to be able to operate on that basis for its employees and the other...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is still a charge. The Ministers for Transport and Finance are completing the review of the report prepared by the advisers on the nature, scale and timing of the investment transaction and will shortly advise the Government of their consideration of the issue. Third party investment is necessary to provide the company with access to equity to fund its business expansion plans and ensure...

Public Inquiries. (21 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. The Government continues to support a full independent public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane. We have made clear that we want to see the standard agreed at Weston Park, and set by Judge Cory, adhered to. We continue to share the concern of the Finucane family, and indeed of Judge Cory, that the new Inquiries Act, under...

Public Inquiries. (21 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy speaks as though he is not aware of what has been going on over the past long period. What Prime Minister Blair and the Secretary of State stated was that they do not intend changing the Inquiries Act. Our position at every level, such as through the motion passed in this House, our position at meetings over the past year or year and a half with the British Government and in the...

Public Inquiries. (21 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I agree with most of what Deputy Gregory said. It is clearly not what was envisaged as a full independent public judicial inquiry in the Weston Park proposals. This is new legislation introduced by the British Government and the restrictive clause in that legislation, which would effectively restrict the judge's handling of the information, renders it useless. It would not restrict the judge...

Public Inquiries. (21 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I do not disagree with anything Deputy Kenny said but it is worth going back over some recent history. The Bloody Sunday inquiry took place in part during the life of the government of which Deputy Kenny was part, but the British Government did not want such an inquiry. It took a great deal of persuasion and in the end it was the Prime Minister who ruled, against much opposition, to operate a...

Public Inquiries. (21 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The point to where it has brought us is unsatisfactory. The Secretary of State, Peter Hain, told me on Thursday that he was going ahead with his inquiry and that they are seeking a venue. I am told they have a venue for the autumn. They are also seeking a judge. I understand from international connections that they are having great difficulty getting a judge. The legal world has been quite...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Seven persons employed in my Department 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. My Department is an equal opportunities employer. Staff are...

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As the Deputy knows, local authorities are allowed to use discretion and flexibility in this area. The Minister, Deputy Roche, would like them to do so and has urged them to do so. Such flexibility exists. The Deputy suggests nothing is happening in this area but I remind him that more than €2 billion will be invested in social and affordable housing. The needs of some 14,000 householders...

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: For example, from last year's total output of 81,000 units, more than 8,000 were built under social and affordable schemes and, along with 25,000 one-off houses, these would not have been subject to Part V and must be subtracted from the calculations. We estimate that more than 10,000 units of total housing output were subject to Part V last year. Deputy Ó Caoláin is basing his calculations...

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——but the figure should be the 10,000 houses that were subject to Part V. The figures from the report to which the Deputy is refers do not stack up.

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Ó Caoláin questioned the figures so I wish to provide the final figures. Some €2 billion will be spent this year, the needs of 14,000 households will be met from funding for social and affordable measures this year and further households will benefit from the accommodation scheme, which compares with 8,500 before the Act was passed. At the end of 2005 almost 100,000 had benefited...

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In terms of output, social and affordable housing, the voluntary sector and the resources provided, the analysis provided by Deputy Ó Caoláin is incorrect. We can try to achieve the flexibility in the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002. We can also try to get local authorities to use the principle of Part V instead of making arrangements...

Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 8, Finance Bill 2006 — financial resolutions; No. 9, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a proposal that section 17A of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 shall continue in force for the period ending on 8 March 2007, back from committee; No. 10, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to...

Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister for Finance has already pointed out that these matters will become clear when the appropriations account is published at the end of this month.

Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Whatever Deputies think about the process, we have always had a budget debate, a Second Stage debate on the Finance Bill and a three-day Committee Stage debate and it has always been the practice that Opposition spokespersons can discuss whichever sections they wish to concentrate on, and that is usually agreed without difficulty. The same applies for this Bill. The House is sitting late...

Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The criminal justice Bill has a priority and is due this year. How much more quickly it can be introduced is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The heads of the third-level student support Bill are at an advanced stage and are expected shortly. What was the third Bill the Deputy asked about?

Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is not listed.

Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill to which the Deputy refers should be published shortly.

Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The criminal justice trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation of children Bill is to give effect to a number of international instruments as regards trafficking in persons and the sexual exploitation of children. I do not have a date for the Bill.