Results 6,201-6,220 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There is a number of people either working or on the committees of NESF and all of those boards who are fluent and who would deal with Irish. They have a fairly high proportion of such people because of their interests. Disability does not really apply to these boards but the National Disability Council has a strong board and there are others where disabilities are well represented. Some of...

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Generally, the figure has remained high and across most boards it is fairly good. With regard to the representative groups, it continues to be a problem. In so far as I engage in these appointments, I put pressure on my Department. The last appointment in January was to the board of the National Centre for Partnership and Performance and the point raised by the Deputy was relevant. We have...

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I think not. There is a screening process. If somebody were disqualified from a business perspective, he or she would not get through. I do not know of such an individual off the top of my head but if somebody were disqualified from business, he or she would hardly get through as an IBEC or Chambers of Commerce of Ireland representative, which are normally the representative groups involved.

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: If someone was disqualified or knocked off a register, it is unlikely the person would come through the process. The Deputy obviously has a particular case in mind.

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will look at the case. In the normal position I would not appoint someone who was disqualified.

Appointments to State Boards. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: They cannot be blamed for causing any of the arguments if there is none of them on the board.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together. The total costs incurred by my Department in respect of the Moriarty tribunal from 1997 to 31 January 2006 is €22,587,982. This includes fees paid to counsel for the tribunal and administration costs incurred since its establishment. The total payment made to the legal team was €17,134,415 up to 31 January 2006. The total cost...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (28 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I understand it, the Moriarty tribunal was due to end its public hearings and the report was to be written and delivered in or around the end of the year. I think that is what I told the House on a previous occasion. I do not have any information other than that. As Deputy Kenny has correctly said, the Moriarty tribunal was given an extension at the higher fee rates up to 30 June next. I...

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: This Bill was ready for publication before the summer recess last year. However, the committee and the industry wanted to give their views on it and the Minister held it over until the autumn. In the autumn, because of the strong views held by Members, it was held over to January. We have now reached the end of February. The Bill has received a long airing and much discussion. In reply to...

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is not in line with precedent. It was always the position for as long as I have been a Member of the House that the Private Members' vote was at 8.30 p.m. Whips wanted to keep it that way over the years because there is always the danger that Members would drift out of the Chamber at 8.30 p.m. In my view some other arrangement needs to be found. Tonight I will agree to the Deputy's...

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I agree to it on this occasion, but it is the last time I will do so.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In 2006, later this year.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Which Bill?

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is a lovely place.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Bill have been approved by Government and it will be published in the next day or two.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Voluntary agreements on advertising have been reached with the drinks industry. Therefore the Department wishes to hold off the introduction of this legislation pending the outcome of these voluntary agreements. The heads of the Bill are ready. If it has a positive effect, then we can consider the position. If the effect is negative, we can go ahead with the legislation.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I believe the Minister agreed a period.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Both of those Bills will be published this year.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I never condemn wrongdoing in any area.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Condone. I never condone wrongdoing. We set up the Moriarty tribunal to inquire into payments to politicians.