Results 6,781-6,800 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Departmental Estimates. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The commission of investigation subhead——

Departmental Estimates. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: He would be investigating something useful.

Departmental Estimates. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will have to get back to the Deputies on this subhead as I do not have the material at hand.

Departmental Estimates. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: What is the actual subhead letter?

Departmental Estimates. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The independent commission of inquiry was the MacEntee commission. However, I cannot recall the full details. I will have to come back to the Deputy on it.

Departmental Estimates. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The task force is only beginning its work. In the social capital area, the community aspect of the arts grant has seen an 18% increase to reflect much of the good work being done in different areas. The active citizenship task force will make its recommendations and supports. I believe it will support community initiatives and activities through local community work. While most of these...

Departmental Estimates. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The provision of €1.49 million is included to fund the continuation of the forum as an arena for bringing matters on European debates to the public's attention. One way or the other, whether a referendum is held, that provision is available for the work of the forum for the year. The funding for the e-Cabinet project reflects the funding estimated in respect of the completion of its work....

Departmental Estimates. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The allocation for the Forum on Peace and Reconciliation is purely in case a need arises and the money has been carried forward. We do not envisage such a need arising and the small amount of money is regarded as a provision should it become necessary. It is being held over until, I hope, we get the institutions up and functioning in 2006, when we would definitely see an end to the forum.

Departmental Estimates. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I would certainly like to see us move towards a proper civic forum, as put forward in the Good Friday Agreement, as soon as possible. On the National Economic and Social Development Office, NESDO, the published Estimates for 2006 show an estimated allocation of €1.96 million, which represents a significant increase of 88% on the previous allocation. The Estimate is intended to reflect the...

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, together. The discussion at the November meeting of the cross-departmental team on housing, infrastructure and public-private partnerships focused on Transport 21, the national spatial strategy gateways study and climate change strategy. The team's discussion on Transport 21 focused mainly on implementation, including the arrangements for...

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: To return to an earlier question, the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, checked a detail for me and it appears subhead Q refers to the MacEntee commission. For some reason, this small provision must have been called "commission of investigation" before the other subhead was inserted. It is, however, the same subhead. On the M50, the committee has been discussing the detail of the enhancement...

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I can comment generally on some of the issues raised, although I do not have some of the details involved. The building control Bill is to strengthen the enforcement powers of local building authorities, as well as providing statutory protection to implement the EU directive on the energy performance of buildings. That energy element is in the Bill. As Deputy Quinn has spent most of this...

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am not sure how that will be handled. As the Deputy is aware, there have been discussions on forthcoming developments on climate change and the wider energy policy, which is the broad issue with which the interdepartmental committee has been dealing. Discussions have taken place on the first phase of emissions trading and on the carbon tax.

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Two major policy initiatives next year will help to determine our wider energy policy strategy in the medium term. The review of national climate change and the energy policy review are going on within the Department, both on the carbon credits and the EU emissions trading scheme. They are listed for discussion at the committee in the early part of the new year. I will not go into detail on...

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Regarding that general question, we recently spelled out the ongoing work on social and affordable housing. Great resources have been put into social housing. The Deputy is correct that the subsidy to the private sector in housing is extremely large.

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I recently said in the House and elsewhere that if one were doing this on a business project and wished to capitalise the amount being invested over time, which is what we would do were we not politicians——

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Perhaps it should be looked at in that way, but one is attacked as soon as one mentions it. If one took that sum, how many houses would one build on a ten-year strategy of capitalising the amount? Having said that, this year we have continued in the traditional manner and put significant increases into social housing and the affordable housing initiatives. However, it is a costly way to proceed.

Public-Private Partnerships. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: They have examined what is happening, but I do not believe that there are any innovative methods on the horizon. What is on the horizon is that we must invest more resources in social housing. That is happening, but one will never achieve the speed that one might wish. Local authorities have been hard pressed this year. Questions were asked here the other day, and they were criticised for not...

Order of Business. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 19, the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005 — Second Stage (resumed); No. 12, the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005 — Financial Resolution; No. 13, motion re establishment of a commission of investigation into the handling of allegations of child sexual abuse against members of the clergy operating under the aegis of the Catholic...

Leaders' Questions. (14 Dec 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am also very pleased that a resolution to the Irish Ferries dispute has been achieved, subject to ratification by members. I thank the Labour Relations Commission, under Kieran Mulvey and his team, for facilitating the parties and steering them towards an agreed solution. I thank the national implementation body, which set out on 4 December the proposals that were worked on to make this...