Results 7,261-7,280 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Written Answers — National Spatial Strategy: National Spatial Strategy (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: My Department's role with regard to the national spatial strategy mainly relates to strategic, high-level co-ordination rather than implementation of individual policies or spending programmes. The national spatial strategy is overseen by the Cabinet committee on housing, infrastructure and PPPs, which I chair. The Cabinet committee is supported by a cross-departmental team, which is chaired...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The percentage of persons with disabilities employed in my Department is3.64%. Of the bodies under the aegis of my Department, the Central Statistics Office figure is 4.39%, the Office of the Chief State Solicitor figure is 3.36% and the Law Reform Commission figure is 4.54%. In regard to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Office of the Attorney General where the...

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As I have said a number of times, the heads of the animal health Bill have been approved for a considerable time. The purpose of the Bill is to consolidate and update the diseases of animals legislation. It is a complex matter to cover all Bills of this nature over a long period. I do not have a date but I have passed on the fact that the Bill has been raised in the House numerous times to...

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Legislation is pending and discussions are ongoing between management and trade unions.

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy should table a question to the Minister. Legislation has been in place since 1932.

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill is due in mid-2006.

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is hoped the legislation will be ready by Christmas. It will not be taken by Christmas but in the new session.

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: That is still the hope.

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: No. I have been pressing to get the Bill cleared as soon as possible but it is still not ready.

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am told it will be ready this session and I will continue to inform Deputy Quinn who awaits the Bill.

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister and the Office of the Attorney General have been carrying out an examination of all the matters around this issue. The statement I made today related to the position on one aspect of the issue. There has been a review and an examination of the Bill, which Deputy Rabbitte helpfully gave us, to see how we can deal with this issue. It is difficult and I am told the chances of...

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The matter can be raised in a number of ways but there is no extension of the Act.

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is to be published this session.

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill is due this session.

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will have to check that.

Order of Business. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: No, but I will make the Deputy's views known to the Minister.

Departmental Bodies. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 9, inclusive, together. A high level of civic engagement and participation significantly contributes to individual, community and societal well-being. However, it is generally accepted that there are pressures on this type of civic engagement in modern Ireland arising from work and family responsibilities, changing settlement patterns and evolving...

Departmental Bodies. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will deal briefly with the questions. The first issue is not a matter for me as it relates to a community workshop which has an ongoing issue about funding with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. I have done some work to try to assist in that but it is a matter for the Estimates. When we announced the task force on active citizenship we asked for...

Departmental Bodies. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The first speech I made on this issue was in April and at that stage, I asked people to make submissions. A great variety of ideas came from those at the conference regarding how we might best take this forward, and it has taken us a long time to agree terms of reference regarded as workable by all the relevant organisations on the basis of their submissions. I agree with the Deputy that...

Departmental Bodies. (15 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is certainly not being done as it was in the past. I am not sure whether it could be contracted out in the same way as the census, but it could be done far better than at present — that would not be hard. The Minister, Deputy Roche, is bringing forward an initiative on the register and another on the Deputy's first point regarding awareness and the importance of participation. I...