Results 6,261-6,280 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister concerned announced that he would set up a new social fund in respect of which he expected——

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am trying to answer the Deputy's leader. As I said, the Minister expected the financial institutions to contribute sizeable sums of money.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I understand the main banks have already given commitments to put sizeable amounts of money into this fund.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: A Cheann Comhairle, I am trying to answer Deputy Rabbitte's question.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The main banks have offered to put sizeable amounts of money into this fund. The money will be used in projects to help the less well-off in our society——

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It will be used to fund projects that will help to generate activities in areas that are socially excluded. This is a good initiative. It is a pity that at one level we are concerned about a company leaving the country because of the level of competition and the next question asked is about a company that is profitable and Members want to talk it down. We should make up minds and be...

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am certainly not trying to be smart about any of these issues, but I make the point that Allied Irish Banks is a very good Irish company. The threat over the past ten to 15 years was that our two main banks could be taken over internationally. That was a real fear for several years during the past ten to 15 years, namely, that they would not have the critical mass in the international...

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: If they were not in this country they would be somewhere else. They employ people here. In the past all our young graduates had to emigrate to London, Luxembourg and America, but now they are employed here. Let us put a stop to the begrudging attitude. I agree with Deputy Rabbitte's core point, that the more competition we get to help people, the better. I am not overly concerned that our...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Policy: Public Procurement Policy (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Existing procurement policies provide for procurement of the goods and services required by the Department in a manner which seeks to optimise the value for money of the purchases concerned and which is in accordance with public procurement guidelines as set out by the Department of Finance. There is a requirement to produce an annual corporate procurement plan as part of the national public...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Recent Department of Finance guidelines on public procurement and capital appraisal require formalised contract review of projects more than €30 million. My Department does not have any contracts which fall within the ambit of this requirement.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The family of Mr. Pat Finucane have our full and continuing support in their tireless efforts over many years to achieve the full truth in this disturbing case. The Government continues to support a full independent public inquiry into the murder of Mr. Patrick 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...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Government remains fully committed to the peace process and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. I met the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, in Farmleigh on 26 January. The close and concerted co-operation between the two Governments remains vital as we seek to bring finality to outstanding issues and achieve the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. In our...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: There are no proposals to decentralise any part of my Department or any of the bodies under its aegis.

Written Answers — Social Partnership: Social Partnership (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The process of negotiations on a successor agreement to Sustaining Progress was formally launched with a plenary meeting of all of the social partners in Dublin Castle on Thursday, 2 February. This was followed by a round of bilateral meetings with each of the four pillars, trade union, business-employer, farming and community and voluntary, at which the pillars set out in greater detail...

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: With regard to the first issue raised, this proposal lays the necessary resolution before the House to extend for a further 12 months the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966. This proposal relates to the legislation passed in this House to deal with the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. The Minister concerned requires a mechanism similar to the resolutions contained in that...

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Abbotstown sports campus development authority Bill will be published in a few days' time. The judicial council Bill will be ready later this year but not during this session. The impounding of the non-national registered vehicles will be covered in the road transport Bill.

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It will be before the summer recess. My colleagues advise that the report on the schools is being examined and will be published. I take it that will happen shortly.

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We will raise it with an tAire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta.

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has committed to a total examination of the present legislation and the process behind it. I understand that is almost complete as I heard the Minister answering questions on it at a recent meeting. I am not sure whether legislation is required to do that. The Minister is bringing forward proposals and it may also require legislation.

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: To an outside agency.