Results 8,361-8,380 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will try to answer all those questions. The investigations into money laundering are ongoing. The Garda Síochána is pursuing a number of lines of investigation but obviously it is not appropriate for me to give further details and quite a number of people are involved in that operation. I have had no secret meetings with Gerry Adams. I have said in the House many times that despite all...

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If I ever have the power to influence them I would be very glad to avail of Deputy Rabbitte's assistance in trying to alter them.

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The issues we discussed were very straightforward and have been well rehearsed in the public domain. Deputy Rabbitte is correct that at all times I try to give an absolutely clear position as to what the Irish Government requires before we believe we can get the institutions up and running again, even though there will be many difficulties with Unionism in doing that. The issues for moving...

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will start at the end. Obviously I have been endeavouring to convince Dr. Paisley that there is only one way forward. The only plan is the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the institutions created by it. That has been our consistent agenda. Deputy Ferris knows that successive Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform have been involved in all peace talks since 1991. The...

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Government takes a serious view of the second report of the Morris tribunal, as it did with the first one. It is a serious concern for everyone that the Garda is properly administered and accountable. We look forward to the debate on the Morris report in the House on Friday. We accept the findings of the report and we will act upon them. Last year, following the publication of the first...

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Enormous effort has gone into the Garda Síochána Bill which is on its final Stages. Those key issues all Members want addressed are provided for in the Bill. The ombudsman commission will independently investigate complaints against members of the force. This was a major issue of the second report of the Morris tribunal. Many people will argue that this provision should be in place even if...

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Since the first report was published last year, the Minister and his Department have been working on the Bill and on the amendments to the Bill. The Garda Síochána Bill has been passing through the House, and Mr. Justice Morris's statements have not been ignored. If Deputy Rabbitte had been listening to me, I stated that the Minister is now bringing forward an amendment to the Bill to...

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte cannot state at one point that the Government is not doing what Mr. Justice Morris recommended and then state that gardaí are retiring with their full pensions. Mr. Justice Morris himself stated in the first report, of which Deputy Rabbitte asks us to take account, that implicated gardaí should not lose their pension entitlements. In Mr. Justice Morris's opinion, that would...

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The second report will be debated in the House on Friday. However, Mr. Justice Morris made it absolutely clear in the first report that he believes — I am sure the same will apply to the second report and perhaps also the third report — that to take away pension rights from people who are implicated——

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: No, I am answering the Deputy's question.

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy raised the pension issue and will not——

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will return to the Deputy's other question in a minute. On the issue of pensions, Mr. Justice Morris stated that people should hold on to their pensions as to do otherwise would have serious implications for the future investigation of disciplinary matters in the force. Since the first report was published last year, the Minister has reviewed the Bill. His amendments now take into account...

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill has been reviewed for the past year. The Garda Complaints Act has been around——

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The first report was published last year.

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There will be a debate in this House next Friday. However, the first report came out last year and the Minister has taken full account of these issues——

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: ——and has taken account of the ombudsman and the inspectorate and a series of other amendments that will be debated in this House before the end of this session.

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Disciplinary implications for members below the rank of superintendent are being examined by the Commissioner, so it is not the case that there is no disciplinary action. As I said, the transfer of members from Donegal is a completely separate matter from any disciplinary action that might be taken. This does not rule out that the Director of Public Prosecutions may decide to bring a...

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Many questions were asked and I will give a short answer.

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is fairly obvious that Deputy Ó Caoláin does not like the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Leaders' Questions. (14 Jun 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I believe that the Minister acted properly in regard to all the matters raised and I fully support him.