Results 6,241-6,260 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Regulatory Reform. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Yes. Before legislation can get through, it must undergo that process. It cannot happen unless it makes sense. On the business group, this is so that not just people in the system, as good as they are, are involved. People from outside business have a say and can put forward their case, not just on new but also on existing regulations, so we can try to get away from slavishly following...

Regulatory Reform. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There are two issues. I said to the Deputy the way a Bill is drafted is that the heads are normally taken separately and work is finished on them in the parliamentary draftsman's office. Normally — in most cases — there is consultation on them with the various stakeholders and interested people. I have told Ministers there is an advantage in publishing heads at that stage. Often,...

Regulatory Reform. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is in some areas. I accept there is a traditional reluctance in the system even though I have stated I cannot see the difficulty. There is often a year between making legislation and the heads being agreed. It is useful to put it forward but I will continue my efforts to get people to publish the heads of the Bill because I agree with it.

Regulatory Reform. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will.

Regulatory Reform. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The benefit of the introduction of regulatory impact analysis is an improvement in the way new regulations are made. Departments and offices will assess the likely impact of new regulations across all legislation in a more structured and consistent way. Wider and more consistent consultation is required before making regulations. Regulations used to be made on the basis of people's beliefs...

Regulatory Reform. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am not sure if the decision was taken for commercial considerations.

Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 14, Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 1, Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006 — Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Report and Final Stages of No. 14 shall be taken today and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously...

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I wish to express my sympathy to the staff of NEC in Ballivor, who have been good and committed workers for three decades and have been working to the best of their ability. This announcement has been a real shock to them. The manufacturing sector represents 23% of total employment while the services sector accounts for 62%, including 31% of exports and more than 50% of our total GDP. Last...

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I know the workers at NEC were shocked at the news of the plant's closure and that they have provided a loyal and quality service to the company over the years. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, the agencies operating under his remit and Meath County Council will take every step to secure alternative employment for the workers and to replace investment in the...

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: From an enormously high level, the figures stabilised in recent months and have taken off again in the last quarter. For a country with a population of 4 million and a workforce of 2 million, it is an enormous achievement to have exports of €85 billion. Of the new jobs announced recently, such as the 600 in Google, the 1,100 in Amgen, those in Wyeth, Centocor and Intel, and others in...

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am glad Allied Irish Banks is profitable. It is so because growth in the economy is so strong——

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——and our businesses are so strong.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Investment is very strong——

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——such that our financial services are doing well.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: That was in the mid-1980s when the Deputy's party was in power.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It almost went down and I remember having to be convinced by the then leader of our party that it was a wise thing to do——

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——to invest money——

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: ——and not to let the bank go down.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I was resisting the calls from the Fine Gael Party to nationalise the banks.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to Deputy Rabbitte's question, AIB is a global company. Its profit is sizeable and it is making considerable money. The Government would like to see more competition. The Bank of Scotland has come into the market and is taking a good share of it and I hope more such companies will enter the market. The Government has been supportive of An Post becoming involved in the financial area...