Results 8,321-8,340 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will deal with those issues first. I understand that the report was received by the health authorities last autumn and that it was very critical and raised serious issues. All those points that the Deputy has raised are correct. On the first part of the Deputy's question, I repeat the Government's concern at the situation in the Leas Cross nursing home. The nursing home has been monitored...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: To take an individual case and build from that, as Deputy Kenny is doing, is an unfair way to portray the health system. I will not get into that. As I said previously, there was a procedure of inspection in place at Leas Cross. I have already explained to the House how those inspections were done. I explained that notice was given when inspections were not of a medical or nursing nature but...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have already said that I do not have any difficulty with the report being published if it is legally permissible to do so, but it is a legal issue. I have already pointed out many times, as the Tánaiste has, that the health inspectorate legislation is in place for governing a properly resourced health inspectorate, for both private and general nursing homes. There are significant numbers...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know when the Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, got the report.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I did not read the contents of the report——

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will not rehearse the details of last week's debate. I will answer questions with regard to when the Minister got the report and who acted on the report but I will not attempt, off the top of my head, to discuss the details of when the report was passed over. It is impossible for me to do so.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I am not going to try to answer.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As I said, I am not going to get into the issue. If they did not do so last week, both Ministers are capable of answering the question of when they had the report. I am not going to speculate on that. Deputy Rabbitte knows——

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: ——that for several years, complaints were heard in the Department of Justice about events in Donegal.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Several complaints were made over the period. The Ministers have given chapter and verse. I will not discuss when it began. Deputy Rabbitte is aware that it continued for a long time. The 160 complaints which are now the subject of litigation and the Morris tribunal did not commence on a particular date, as the Deputy would like to put on the record. The point, however, is that this...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Opposition, while in Government, had an opportunity to establish whatever tribunal it wanted. It did not do so. Deputy Rabbitte is aware of this. Allegations and complaints were made.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Howlin has an interest in this matter because he has been involved in it all the way. He can use another occasion to make his speech. The fact is——

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: ——that this Government established the Morris tribunal and has done everything to unearth and act upon all the difficulties in the Garda Síochána in Donegal.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: One cannot move away from that. Questions may be asked in terms of files or dates but this Government has acted on the issue and made the credible and necessary decisions.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Government is legislating, based on both Morris reports, to ensure these events are not repeated. That is a fact.

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not wish to rehearse a court case. Both sides brought evidence before the court and a judgment was made. I was deeply distressed after hearing the O'Carolans discuss their son's condition. Everyone would be so affected. I do not doubt that it is extremely painful for the parents to see their autistic children in distress on a daily basis. Every parent wants his or her children to reach...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I appreciate the case Deputy Higgins makes on the needs of the O'Carolans' son and I am not arguing against that. I do not wish to re-run the court case that has examined this issue and it is a pity these issues end up in court. The amount of assessment, care, rehabilitation, education occupational therapy and speech and language therapy required in this case make it complex. As I outlined,...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I express my deep sympathy to the wife and daughters of the late Seán Doherty on his unexpected death. My thoughts at this time are with his wife Maura and his daughters Rachel, Cara, Leah and Evelyn. Members of his family are with us in the House. He died just a few weeks short of his 61st birthday, and a few weeks after he buried his mother. I express the sympathy of both the Government...

European Issues. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 29, inclusive, together. I travelled to Luxembourg on 2 June at the invitation of Prime Minister Juncker, who was meeting each of the EU Heads of State or Government in advance of the June European Council meeting, to discuss the EU constitution and the financial perspectives for the period 2007 to 2013. I informed Prime Minister Juncker that we will...

European Issues. (21 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We will continue to keep the matter of the constitution under review. Deputy Kenny is correct that the referendum will not take place this year. I have made clear that we will publish a White Paper in September. I have made no decision about the Bill but I will consult the Opposition parties before moving on that. It will certainly not be before the summer. The position is that the European...