Results 6,421-6,440 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We have represented to the British Government in meetings most of the points and concerns made clear by groups. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, has handled this issue throughout. There have been many meetings with the British Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, and between officials. It would be better to table a question to the Minister for Justice, Equality...

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We have raised the matter at every summit and we will continue to raise the matter. It does not require a special summit. The Prime Minister knows our precise view on the issue, as does the British Government, as the affair has been ongoing for so long.

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte is correct on the first issue. The withdrawal of MLAs' salaries will cause difficulties for a small number of parties whereas other parties will not be much affected. Mr. Peter Hain has said one cannot pay indefinitely salaries to elected members of institutions that have not met for several years, since 2002, and I understand that point. The solution is to end the debate by...

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On Deputy Sargent's questions, the institutions are not up and running but we would be wrong to think that a huge host of other matters are not moving or that successful jobs are not being done. The real basis of the peace process is that people in Northern Ireland are living in peace and moving towards better human rights and justice. That is due to the work of the policing board, the...

Appointment of Ministers of State. (14 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I wish to formally announce for the information of the House that the Government has today appointed Deputy Mary Wallace to be Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food; Deputy Gallagher to be Minister of State at the Department of Transport and Deputy Browne to be Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 36, inclusive, together. The Government remains fully committed to the peace process and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. We have seen very real progress in recent months. There are, of course, continuing difficulties. This is not surprising following such a prolonged conflict, and indeed centuries of division on this island, but the...

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The IMC report has generally been viewed as a positive report. It is important to note that there has not been any evidence of IRA paramilitary activity, such as authorised attacks, recruitment, training, targeting or involvement in rioting, since last July. It is also important to note that the report states that "the present PIRA leadership has taken the strategic decision to end the armed...

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I have recently answered questions on the Finucane case, but I would like to say a few words on it. The family has met Mr. Hain in Belfast and they are not at all happy with the latest meeting. I understand it was a difficult meeting and the family is not satisfied with the British proposals for the inquiry into Pat Finucane's murder. Our sympathies have always been with Geraldine Finucane...

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I am sure those who follow the debates in this House will take note of the last suggestion. I always say to groups I meet from all quarters that everyone must realise that there were terrible atrocities on all sides and we should respect that. I agree with the Deputy's point. I do not want to get into the Stormontgate affair. I agreed with the Chief Constable, Hugh Orde, that the meeting...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (8 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Following the commitment made in my letter of 3 November 2005, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs met the person in question on 16 November 2005. Since then, arrangements have been made for officials from my Department to meet that person. That meeting is scheduled to take place shortly. As I stated in my letter of 3 November, I would be happy to meet with the person in question...

Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 3, the Finance Bill 2006 — Second Stage, resumed. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight, business shall be interrupted on the conclusion of Private Members' business, which shall be No. 41, motion re Irish farming sector, resumed, which shall be taken after 90 minutes at 7 p.m. or at the...

Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I totally agree with the Deputy that the Bill should be teased out, and that is the purpose of Committee Stage.

Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The judicial council Bill is due in 2006. The draft heads are being prepared in the Department, taking into account work completed by the constitution review group, the Joint Committee on the Constitution, and the Chief Justice's committee on judicial ethics. On Part 3 of the nitrates regulations, the EU (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2005, the Minister for...

Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Did the Deputy hear what I said?

Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Shortly.

Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The legislation is due in 2006.

Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Legislation is being prepared. I am not sure when it will be ready, but the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, is working on it.

Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The legislation is being prepared at present.

Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Later in the year, as soon as it is ready.

Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The legislation will be prepared this year, but some other Bills have preference. The infrastructural Bill has priority, and the same section is drafting it.