Results 6,601-6,620 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We proved this could be done last year with the opening of the Luas lines, even though some Deputies thought it would never happen. More than 20 million passengers have used the service. Capacity on the DART has increased by 50%. The Deputy will agree that rail, the Luas and the orbital metro route are the ways to move on.

Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: We must deal with major issues in trying to guarantee our energy supply, which is a big issue all over Europe. As the Deputy knows, many countries are moving back to nuclear power.

Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: No. Across the water political agreement has almost been reached on that issue, while France has expanded its nuclear industry. We are actively engaged in determining how we will deal with these issues in the longer term. The Deputy is correct that energy prices are increasing. The Corrib gas field and other factors will help in terms of our energy supply in the years to come and I hope we...

Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On the Deputy's point regarding the NGOs having an input, I have explained to him before how the NGOs are involved. We will always welcome inputs into the work of Sustainable Energy Ireland.

Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As I stated, energy policy is being prepared for the longer term and we need to examine new approaches. Separate consultations are taking place on various aspects of renewable energies. Public consultation has occurred on combined heat and power and bioenergy. The proportion of energy produced by wind will increase to 13.2% by the end of the decade. All these issues are important. The Deputy...

Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, but they are involved in the core organisation and have an input into it. I did not hear what the American President said during the night——

Leaders' Questions. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy's party is far closer to him, having stayed up until 3 a.m. to listen to him. I am glad it is moving closer to American policy. As I stated, if the Deputy wishes to have an input, I am sure all his suggestions will be closely examined. I promise him I am not addicted to oil. It would be very bad for me.

Official Travel. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 15, inclusive, together. I travelled to Zagreb on 28 and 29 November to meet the Prime Minister, Mr. Ivo Sanader. We discussed issues on the EU agenda, including Croatia's accession negotiations and the future development of Ireland's economic and cultural relations with Croatia. The Government of Croatia expressed particular interest in learning from...

Official Travel. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: To repeat what I said to Deputy Rabbitte yesterday, Bulgaria and Romania will join the EU in a few years and discussions have started with Croatia and Macedonia. From the Thessaloniki summit of a few years ago Europe is committed to ongoing talks in that region of Croatia, Macedonia and the other countries as they prepare initial association agreements. Talks with Turkey will continue for a...

Official Travel. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: As in China, UN reform is a big issue in India. In the question and answer session at the University of Mumbai, the students saw this as a burning issue. I did not give India support for a seat on the Security Council. I have been involved in discussions about this in the last few years. It is too easy to give support to one country, which then creates implications for another country. I...

Official Travel. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On a number of issues raised by the Deputy, I put forward very clearly Ireland's record and the late Deputy Frank Aiken's work, in particular, on non-proliferation, and our continuing belief in those policies. I am very proud of the Irish people in India, both the NGOs I met and the religious who have spent their lives there working with the poor. We visited some of their schools, hospitals...

Official Travel. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will be in the White House, in the United States again this year for St. Patrick's Day. That has been a tradition for a long time. Once again, I will convey Deputy Joe Higgins's best regards.

Official Travel. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Regardless of who is in the White House, the Taoiseach or a senior Minister from Ireland should always be there to acknowledge the great connection, friendships and solidarity we have enjoyed through the generations.

Official Travel. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I will talk to him about all the current issues.

Official Travel. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, I discussed those issues with Prime Minister Singh. He informed me of the sequence of events in India and how India offered to help. India broke through its traditional difficulties with Pakistan to help in every way it could. It took a few days to get it off the ground but there is huge co-operation. I am aware from speaking with Pakistani representatives at the embassy here and from my...

Official Travel. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I had an opportunity to discuss the relationships. There have been many efforts over the past year or so, since Prime Minister Singh came into office, to improve relationships. There has been much dialogue in recent months, and even while I was in India there was much coverage in the newspapers of the indication by the President of Pakistan, who was in the United States, that there would be a...

Official Travel. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is a dangerous situation. The General Affairs Council has discussed it. I do not wish to comment on the EU three because they have represented the EU for a number of years. However, all the discussions and policies were enunciated at the General Affairs Council, even as late as this week. The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, is still involved, which is good because if there is to...

Official Travel. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: I do not think so. We have continued to have a good relationship with Iran. Delegations from Iran have been here and the previous foreign Minister was a regular visitor. Our role must remain within the General Affairs and External Relations Council and the situation is being tightly monitored through that.

Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 16, National Economic and Social Development Office Bill 2002 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 15, Competition (Amendment) Bill 2005 [Seanad] — Second Stage (Resumed); and No. 1, Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) Bill 2005 [Seanad] — Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 43, motion re nursing homes inspections (resumed) to conclude at...

Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Bertie Ahern: On random breath testing, the Attorney General has given advice that will allow for the development of a scheme that will allow for the operation of extended preliminary roadside breath testing, so called random breath testing. We are working through the constitutional issues that could arise with regard to this. As the Deputy knows, this is an issue that is fought on a significant scale in...