Results 861-880 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (19 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I hope to be able to issue one comprehensive statement as early as I can have it agreed. I have asked officials to meet over the next few days to try to have it finished before Christmas. We will try to clear it at the Government meeting on 4 January.

Leaders' Questions (19 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is correct to say that the allowance has not been increased. The Minister informs me that he has been in discussions with the groups about that particular issue. However, the cost to the State has increased. Modern accommodation has been purchased with taxpayers' money and the State has often had to pay high capital costs towards such direct provision. Services, ancillary facilities...

Leaders' Questions (19 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is a matter for the Minister in terms of what he can or cannot do. He has been in discussions. I am not getting into that, but I do not believe that there will be any changes, to be frank. We have considerable guidelines that we have followed under both the UN and with our own policies. We have been fair and generous with direct provision in this country. We have not taken the routes...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 135 together. My Department has not paid in advance for works or services that will not be completed or commenced before the end of the 2007 financial year. However, it should be noted that my Department and its agencies are required to pay some suppliers in advance for items such as subscriptions for magazines and journals (hard copy and on-line...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy will be aware that there are no proposals to decentralise my Department or any of the bodies under its aegis. The Department of Finance is responsible for the overall decentralisation programme.

Written Answers — Departmental Communications: Departmental Communications (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I spoke with Senator Kennedy on 7 December when we discussed the issue of immigration in the United States and the undocumented Irish in particular. I emphasised to the Senator that the resolution of this issue has been and will continue to be a priority for the Government and I referred to the strong all party support in this House on the issue.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The National Economic and Social Forum, established in 1993, continues in existence. The First Information Society Commission ceased to exist in December 2000 and the National Millennium Committee in June 2002. Section 10 of the National Economic and Social Development Office Act, 2006 sets out the functions of the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF), as follows: To advise the...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: My officials have been in contact with the family of the person in question and I will meet with the family early in the new year.

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Department of the Taoiseach is located in Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street. The Department has no offices elsewhere. No specific record of my attendance in my Department is maintained.

Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is clear the Opposition spokespersons have no difficultly with the main purpose of this Bill, which outlines the roles and functions of the 19 bodies involved. It is imperative to remove any doubt about their vires and, accordingly, the Bill must be enacted. There is no requirement for debate on those issues. We are talking about the provisions relating to the Medical Practitioners Act...

Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Government must put beyond doubt any legal capacity and that includes the Beaumont Hospital and St. James's Hospital co-location agreements. That is the only issue and there is a long night to talk about one issue out of a total of 25.

Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Ó Caoláin will not have to speak tonight because he has already made his Second Stage speech.

Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is due in 2008.

Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The judgment must be examined and we will then consider whether we can discuss it.

Northern Ireland Issues. (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I have three points to make. I welcome what Deputy Ó Caoláin said on the Paul Quinn murder issue and reiterate that the Garda is receiving good co-operation. However, the assistance of everybody is needed in the gathering of information to help resolve what we all agree was an horrendous murder. It is important for the entire process, and more than anything else for the Quinn family,...

Northern Ireland Issues. (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, I had promised a debate on this and had tried to fit it in before Christmas, but there were just so many debates and so much pressure on time. However, I have asked the Government Whip to arrange for that debate at the beginning of February. My officials and I have continued, as has the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Ahern, to pursue all of the issues. We know the British...

Northern Ireland Issues. (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin.

Northern Ireland Issues. (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On the questions raised by a number of Deputies, I cannot judge on the basis of hearsay and anecdotal evidence or views but on the investigation of a very substantial team of gardaí involved in the case. I have to await their judgment and the outcome of their investigation of the matter. I have heard all the comments on the issue. There is no doubt that bringing a substantial number of...

Northern Ireland Issues. (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We have followed right through on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and I have committed to what I am doing, based on the Barron reports and the investigations of the Oireachtas. We have continued to pursue that issue. The Eddie Fullerton case was in a different category. I did meet the family at the Deputy's request and I will speak to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform as to...

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to Deputy Kenny, the education section of the programme for Government contains a commitment under the approved funding for schools heading, which states that the Government will examine the provision of waste and water allowances to schools and that charges will become effective after those agreed allowances are exceeded. That is the commitment contained in the programme for...