Results 7,401-7,420 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will raise the matter with the Minister.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The latter requires primary legislation because it is an amendment of the Competition Act and the Government is keen to complete this prior to Christmas, with the co-operation of the House. It would make sense to do this quickly.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It cannot be rescinded until the legislation is passed. Primary legislation is required.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Yes. That is why it makes sense to do this quickly.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister is publishing the full report and I am sure he will be anxious to——

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not have a date for the animal health Bill but the heads have been approved.

Order of Business. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have not committed to that.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. Progress on the implementation of the Government programme is kept constantly under review. Deputies will be aware that for every full year that Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats have been in Government, we have published an annual progress report. The third annual progress report of this current Administration was...

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Yes.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Almost 90% of our record tax reductions went to someone other than a person who pays the top rate of tax. Therefore, we have targeted all our measures at those on lower incomes to try to improve their position. The tax rate is no longer at the extraordinary high rates of the past. It has reduced from 48% to 42%.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There will be another two budgets.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Some €5 billion has been given back.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In the life of this Government and the previous one, thankfully the vast bulk of resources have gone into education and particularly into education for the disadvantaged. An enormous number of additional teachers, some 4,500, including 3,000 resource teachers, have been employed in our primary schools. Particularly in this Government we have targeted our measures towards education for the...

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny knows the Supreme Court decision on the nursing homes issue went back over many decades and successive Governments. It is a decision we must respect and legislation is being prepared to deal with the situation. People have different views on the computer issue. It would obviously have been better if a review of the contract had taken place every six months or year. However, an...

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It only took me ten minutes to get back into town.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Everyone around Blanchardstown is working now. They are not stuck there at that time of the day. It is not like it used to be. They are all at work.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I resent the HSE, which employs 146,000 people, 100,000 of them full-time, in the health service being called a quango.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: That organisation provides the health service in this country. Obviously, we must take into account the views of the HSE. We need additional beds. The capital programme this year is €500 million and next year it will be of the same order. Much of that money is providing better facilities and a large number of beds in different hospitals throughout the State. As it is probably unlikely we...

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not think he says we do not need beds. He might argue about the number required and about how we use existing beds, day beds and facilities. However, he is not arguing that we do not need beds.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will abide by the Chair's ruling by giving a broad reply to Deputy Ó Caoláin's general questions. A new round of meetings with the parties is under way. It is hoped that progress can be made, although perhaps not by the end of the year. We will try to understand the concerns of the parties and to listen to their views on how we should tread forward in the new year in respect of the Good...