Results 8,681-8,700 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Active Citizenship. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy mentioned Scandinavian models and is correct that there is substantial literature on the matter, which has been considered by a number of international bodies. I read some of the recommendations of a good report from the OECD. The task force will consult recognised international experts in this field, many of whom have been working on this here and in other countries for a long...

Active Citizenship. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, otherwise people's efforts will be pointless. Encouragingly, many recommendations from the White Paper on supporting voluntary activity have been taken by various Government and statutory agencies and are being successfully implemented. I do not wish to use monetary terms, but the amount of resources the State gives to groups is enormous. Many of these activities are now mainstream, with...

Commissions of Investigation. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 13, inclusive, together. I have received Mr. Justice Barron's report into the murder of Seamus Ludlow and I expect that, following necessary consideration, the report will be forwarded to the Oireachtas in the coming weeks. I understand Mr. Justice Barron expects to complete his report on the Dundalk bombing of December 1975 and the Castleblaney bombing...

Commissions of Investigation. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Regarding the Ludlow report, the Government wishes to publish the report to the greatest extent possible in the form it was received from Mr. Justice Barron. We will consider the report and any necessary redactions based on right to life considerations very shortly. We will publish the report as fully as possible. The Oireachtas committee recommended that the Minister for Justice, Equality...

Commissions of Investigation. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I thank the Deputy for his support for the inquiry and the setting up the committee of investigation. The Deputy is right in pointing out that following the recommendation of the committee and Judge Cory, we have also set up a tribunal of inquiry, which will be chaired by Mr. Justice Peter Smithwick. I inquired about that yesterday and I have been advised that preparations are being made to...

Commissions of Investigation. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I appreciate what Deputy Costello said. I have followed the committee's recommendations to the letter of the law from the beginning of the process five years ago. I will continue to do so because I owe it to the committee which has done a great deal of work on the matter. I need to take legal advice on how to pursue the matter but I am prepared to follow it up.

Commissions of Investigation. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The fees issue and how he will interact with the families are matters with which the sole member can now deal under the legislation. I am open to any change in this, which is why I would like the legal representatives for the Justice for the Forgotten group to stay with the case because we have all brought it much further than has been the case up to now. My Department has discussed further...

Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 18, Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad] — Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage; No. 19, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005 — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 20, Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill 2004 — Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business shall be No. 45, motion re report of the Health and Safety Authority Inspection Programme...

Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the third level students support Bill, consultations are taking place between the Department and the relevant stakeholders. I have not got a date for it, but the discussions are continuing. The heads of the University College Galway amendment Bill are expected shortly. It is a short Bill, which will be available shortly. The national roads infrastructure Bill is now called the roads...

Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The overall figure that the Tánaiste has mentioned is €850 million. Obviously, it depends on when the legislation is passed and on the system set up to pay the claims. We have not got a figure for this year but if there is a payment to be made this year, a Supplementary Estimate will obviously be required.

Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Government is working to finalise its proposals in that regard. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is away but we would be very glad to complete the consultations with the Deputy's party.

Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I confirm that the regulations have not yet been made. They are being drafted and I do not know the date to which they will apply.

Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There is no planning and development amendment Bill.

Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is not on my list.

Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Legislation has been enacted but there is no Bill proposed to amend it.

Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy asked me why the regulations were not referred to on the Order Paper before today if they were made on 29 April. I will ask the Department to provide an answer, which I will forward to the Deputy.

Leaders' Questions. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny raised several questions. We will announce the scheme's full details today, dealing with all aspects that have come to light to date. I have been part of a Cabinet sub-committee with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and the Attorney General. We have met several times to discuss making this an easy,...

Leaders' Questions. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It will take some years. Deputy Kenny's last point concerned constitutional aspects. The Attorney General has been involved throughout, and there are many legal issues. One cannot be certain in such instances that people will not challenge decisions, but in so far as we have been advised, we have tried to protect that as much as we can.

Leaders' Questions. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will resist the temptation to go back to 1976 and talk about all those involved in this issue. It is more important than that.

Leaders' Questions. (11 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Estimate is approximately €850 million which will be paid out over a number of years. There is no question of fraud in the judgment of the Supreme Court, which I am sure Deputy Kenny read. Although there are several categories for which this arises, the six-year rule will not generally apply for persons of unsound mind because they were not in a position to deal with this situation. We...